Optimal guidance for 1 st stage launcher recovery

摘要

This paper presents a study performed within the frame of ArianeGroup activities on reusable launchers. We have established here an overview of the discrete “convexification” formulation the Soft Landing Optimal Control Problem (SLOCP) presented in the recent literature, and, we have transferred it to industrial application for guidance function for launcher 1ststage recovery. The expected advantages of this guidance approach, in terms of greater implementation robustness and reduction of the propellant consumption compared to classical methods, were preliminary confirmed. Using this optimal guidance method for pre-design and sizing studies is already a great step beyond, nevertheless, the concept needs to be deepened for in flight application.