Trajectory optimization in the presence of uncertainty

The design of a trajectory for an aerospace vehicle can be formulated using modern optimal control and/or nonlinear programming techniques. Typically, the optimal trajectory is constructed assuming an ideal operating environment and conditions. In practice, of course, conditions are seldom ideal. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of the astronautical sciences 2006-04, Vol.54 (2), p.227-243
Main Author: Betts, John T.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The design of a trajectory for an aerospace vehicle can be formulated using modern optimal control and/or nonlinear programming techniques. Typically, the optimal trajectory is constructed assuming an ideal operating environment and conditions. In practice, of course, conditions are seldom ideal. A real vehicle must have some mechanism to compensate for 'off-nominal' conditions. Environmental factors such as temperature, and atmospheric pressure, as well as 'imperfections' caused by uncertainty in the manufacturing process, all contribute to uncertainty in the performance of a vehicle. This paper describes how modem trajectory optimization techniques can incorporate statistical constraints as part of the mission design process to compensate for uncertainty.
ISSN:0021-9142
DOI:10.1007/BF03256484