Control and Navigation of a 2-D Electric Rocket
Abstract
This work addresses the control and navigation of a simulated two-dimensional electric rocket. The model provides a simplified framework that neglects actuator dynamics and aerodynamic effects while capturing the complexities of underactuation and state coupling. Trajectory tracking is achieved through a modularized and layered control architecture, with employement of a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Lyapunov theory. Full-state estimation is achieved through Kalman filtering techniques, part of the navigation module. The solutions are thoroughly evaluated in a custom-built MATLAB/Simulink testbed, simulating real-world conditions while maintaining a simplified setup. The results reveal limitations along the lateral axis, whose resolution is suggested for future work.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2509.19970,
title = {Control and Navigation of a 2-D Electric Rocket},
author = {André Fonte and Pedro Santos and Paulo Oliveira},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.19970},
year = {2025}
}