Skip Re-Entry Trajectory Detection and Guidance for Maneuvering Vehicles

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Astrodynamics
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Background:

• Maneuvering vehicles with high lift-to-drag ratios typically use quasi-equilibrium flight for re-entry.
• Component or sensor failures can induce skip re-entry, an oscillation phenomenon not addressed by conventional guidance.
• Lack of skip re-entry detection and guidance strategies compromises mission safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an emergency solution for detecting and controlling skip re-entry trajectories.
• To enhance the safety and success rate of vehicle re-entry missions under abnormal conditions.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed oscillation frequency characteristics of linearized re-entry motion equations.
• Developed an approximate analytical relationship for skip altitude estimation.
• Implemented a detection method by comparing residual altitude deviation with a threshold.
• Designed a trajectory control strategy using bank angle adjustments with a fixed angle of attack profile.

Main Results:

• Successfully detected skip re-entry events.
• Demonstrated the ability to extend the vehicle's range in abnormal re-entry scenarios.
• Ensured flight path constraints were satisfied during skip re-entry control.
• Guided the vehicle to the intended location despite the skip phenomenon.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method effectively detects skip re-entry.
• The developed control strategy enhances vehicle safety and mission success during abnormal re-entry.
• This solution provides a critical emergency response for unexpected skip trajectories.