Particle swarm optimization applied to hypersonic reentry trajectories

This paper presents the novel use of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) to generate the end-to-end trajectory for hypersonic reentry vehicles in a quite simple formulation. The velocity-dependent bank angle profile is developed to reduce the search space of unknown parameters based on the constrained PSO algorithm. The path constraints are enforced by setting the fitness function to be infinite on condition that the particles violate the maximum allowable values. The PSO algorithm also provides a much easier means to satisfy the terminal conditions by adding penalty terms to the fitness function. Furthermore, the approximate reentry landing footprint is fast constructed by incorporating an interpolation model into the standardized bank angle profiles. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the PSO method is a feasible and flexible tool to generate the end-to-end trajectory and landing footprint for hypersonic reentry vehicles.