On-board generation of three-dimensional constrained entry trajectories

A methodology for very fast design of three degree-of-freedom (3DOF) entry trajectories subject to all common inequality and equality constraints is developed. The approach makes novel use of the well-known quasi-equilibrium glide phenomenon in lifting entry as a center piece for effective and efficient enforcement of the inequality constraints. The highly constrained nonlinear trajectory planning problem is decomposed into two sequential one-parameter search problems. The algorithm is able to generate a complete and feasible 3DOF entry trajectory in about 2 to 3 seconds on a desktop computer, given the entry conditions, values of constraint parameters, and final conditions. High fidelity numerical simulations with a reusable launch vehicle model for various entry missions are presented to demonstrate the capability and effectiveness of the algorithm.