Mars precision landing guidance based on model predictive control approach

Abstract

A precision landing guidance design for the Mars powered descent phase is proposed based on model predictive control (MPC) approach. Dynamics model used for the formulation are convexificated and linearized to adopt the convex optimization technique, which has been suggested by researchers of Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To employ the receding horizon frame and reduce the number of control inputs, the convex optimization problem is augmented with Laguerre functions. To represent the minimum fuel consumption or minimum landing error precisely unlike the optimal control theory, new cost function is designed by combining them with weighting factors. Moreover, the stability of the proposed guidance design for the independent control inputs calculated from each time step is verified by using Lyapunov stability analysis. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to examine the suggested guidance formulation and to compare the performance with an optimal solution.