A STUDY OF SIX-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM REENTRY DYNAMICS IN TERMS OF COUPLED HARMONIC OSCILLATOR THEORY USING QUASI-STATIC SOLUTIONS OF THE EQUATIONS OF MOTION.

Abstract

The non-linear equations of motion of an axi-asymmetric ballistic reentry vehicle are simplified using analog computer results and solved analytically under the assumption that the atmospheric density is locally a constant (quasi-static assumption). The solutions are analyzed using the framework of coupled harmonic oscillator theory with the assumption that the rolling moment of inertia is negligible compared to the transverse moments of inertia. The motion of the reentry vehicle is shown to be composed of a gyroscopic (or mechanical) frequency and an aerodynamic frequency, and the interaction of these frequencies is discussed for damped and undamped hypothetical reentry trajectories. The solutions are restricted to altitudes where aerodynamic heating effects are negligible. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0683766

Entities

People

  • Norman E. Dupee Iii

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Heating
  • Analog Computers
  • Atmospheric Density
  • Computers
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Equations Of State
  • Frequency
  • Inertia
  • Moment Of Inertia
  • Oscillators
  • Reentry Vehicles
  • Trajectories
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.