Optimum Orbit Plane Change Using a Skip Reentry Trajectory for the Space Shuttle Orbiter

摘要

Two types of skip reentry trajectories are examined in the 70 km to 95 km altitude region. The first is a maximum lift-to-drag analysis which indicates that an aerodynamic maneuver in order to change the orbit inclination is profitable when compared to a rocket burn in space to effect the same change in orbit inclination. The maximum changes in orbit inclination achieved aerodynamically were approximately .8 degrees. The second type of analysis considered the optimal control problem for a skip reentry trajectory. The specific problem posed was: Find the optimum angle of attack and bank angle controls which minimize the amount of work done by drag for a specific change in orbit inclination. No results were obtained from this analysis due to the problems encountered when the optimization technique was applied to the specific problem. (Author)