Related papers: Why do launch trajectories end downwards
This paper introduces a first-order method for solving optimal powered descent guidance (PDG) problems, that directly handles the nonconvex constraints associated with the maximum and minimum thrust bounds with varying mass and the pointing…
This study describes the development of a novel numerical optimization framework to maximize the endurance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We address the problem of numerically determining the optimal thrust and cruise angle of attack…
The classical fuel-optimal two-impulse rendezvous problem between Keplerian orbits is revisited from a family-based perspective. Conventional approaches often yield isolated optimal solutions whose mutual relationships remain unclear; yet,…
Accuracy of throwing in games and sports is governed by how errors at projectile release are propagated by flight dynamics. To address the question of what governs the choice of throwing strategy, we use a simple model of throwing with an…
Equipping a spacecraft with multiple solar-powered electric engines (of the same or different types) compounds the task of optimal trajectory design due to presence of both real-valued inputs (power input to each engine in addition to the…
The optimal transport problem has many applications in machine learning, physics, biology, economics, etc. Although its goal is very clear and mathematically well-defined, finding its optimal solution can be challenging for large datasets…
This paper demonstrates a refined approach to solving dynamic optimization problems for underactuated marine surface vessels. To this end the differential flatness of a mathematical model assuming full actuation is exploited to derive an…
Enabling robots to walk and run on yielding terrain is increasingly vital to endeavors ranging from disaster response to extraterrestrial exploration. While dynamic legged locomotion on rigid ground is challenging enough, yielding terrain…
Aerial vehicles have recently attracted significant attention in a variety of commercial and civilian applications due to their high mobility, flexible deployment and cost-effectiveness. To leverage these promising features, the aerial…
In this paper, we present the controllability properties of Keplerian motion controlled by low-thrust control systems. The low-thrust control system, compared with high or even impulsive control system, provide a fuel-efficient means to…
We determine the minimum value of thrust for a number of N-particle configurations. For N=5 in three dimensions an exact result is found for the first time. For larger N we obtain numerical results through optimisation. When a definite…
Point sets matching problems can be handled by optimal transport. The mechanism behind it is that optimal transport recovers the point-to-point correspondence associated with the least curl deformation. Optimal transport is a special form…
In this study a new approach is proposed for the generation of aircraft trajectories. The relative guidance of an aircraft, which is aimed to join in minimum time the track of a leader aircraft, is particularly considered. In a first place,…
A central goal of thermodynamics is to identify optimal processes during which the least amount of energy is dissipated into the environment. Generally, even for simple systems, such as the parametric harmonic oscillator, optimal control…
Powered descent guidance (PDG) problems subject to six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) dynamics allow for enforcement of practical attitude constraints. However, numerical solutions to 6DOF PDG problems are challenging due to fast rotational…
In this paper, we focus on a method based on optimal control to address the optimization problem. The objective is to find the optimal solution that minimizes the objective function. We transform the optimization problem into optimal…
Low-thrust trajectory design and in-flight control remain two of the most challenging topics for new-generation satellite operations. Most of the solutions currently implemented are based on reference trajectories and lead to sub-optimal…
In this paper, the repeat-groundtrack orbit maintenance problem is addressed for spacecraft driven by electric propulsion. An adaptive solution is proposed, which combines an hysteresis controller and a recursive least squares filter. The…
In this paper, the optimal deployment of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) acting as flying base stations is investigated. Considering the downlink scenario, the goal is to minimize the total required transmit power of UAVs while…
The main focus of the work presented in this thesis is to develop an optimal control based formation flying control strategy for high precision formation flying of small satellites that have restricted computation and storage capacity.…