A Comparison of the Gradient and Newton-Raphson Techniques for Reentry Trajectory Optimization.
Abstract
The report contains a two-dimensional optimization analysis of reentry trajectories for minimization of space vehicle heating and maximization of terminal range, conducted for a lifting body reentry vehicle with a maximum lift-to-drag of three. Based on this analysis there appears to be a conflict between heat minimization and range maximization in that a high angle-of-attack is required to minimize the heating rate and a lower angle-of-attack is required to maximize range. Two optimization techniques were compared, a Newton-Raphson method and a steepest-descent gradient method. A modification of the gradient technique, which was based upon the variational Hamiltonian, was applied after convergence to a near-optimal solution, resulting in an improved control profile. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0745998
Entities
People
- Gerald A. Robertson
- William E. Henson
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology