Model predictive control for optimal guidance of autonomous spaceplanes on powered aerogravity assist maneuvers

• Grant number: 22/15564-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Flight Dynamics
• Principal Investigator: Rodolpho Vilhena de Moraes
• Grantee: Jhonathan Orlando Murcia Piñeros
• Supervisor: Riccardo Bevilacqua
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/26605-2 - Optimization of powered aero-assisted maneuvers controlling the aerodynamic angles, BP.PD

Abstract

The present proposal is structured according to the requirements of the BEPE´s scholarship. The main motivation for the research is the search for robust control techniques and algorithms, capable of being implemented for guidance and control of autonomous spaceplanes in interplanetary missions to perform aerogravity assist maneuvers, with and without propulsion. The goal of the proposal is the determination of the control vector as a function of time, from the implementation of Model Predictive Control to maximize the trajectory energy variations, reducing the cost of the mission. The concept of spacecraft's guidance, navigation, and control for space exploration missions is described at the beginning of the proposal. Next, it is explained the use of gravity assist and aeromaneuvers to increase the velocity changes and to guide the spacecraft. The concepts of optimal guidance and Model Predictive Control are detailed, citing the recent and most relevant papers in the field. A brief mathematical description of the Optimal Control Problem and the justification of the research are presented at the end of Section 1. Finally, at the end of this proposal are listed the goal of the research (Section 2), the work plan and schedule with tasks (Section 3), materials, and methods (Section 4) needed for the development of the research over twelve months. (AU)