Reentry guidance law design for RLV based on predictor-corrector method

A new on-line guidance law designed based on predictor-corrector method and quasi-equilibrium glide condition (QEGC) for the reentry of hypersonic reusable launch vehicles (RLV) was presented. This advanced guidance law can generate reasonable bank angle profiles which can simultaneously satisfy the target accuracy and the path constraints such as heat rate flow, normal load and dynamic pressure. After establishing the 3DOF dynamic equations and specifying the initial states, target accuracy (CEP) and path constraints, the predictor-corrector method and quasi-equilibrium glide condition were explained in detail. The predictor-corrector method was used to generate the basic reentry guidance law for RLV, and the QEGC was used to modify the bank angle profile so that it can satisfy all path constraints. Finally, the Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the performance of the guidance law under uncertain initial states. The simulation results show that this guidance law not only works accurately and fast but also has a high robustness.