Optimal predictive controller design for reentry vehicle

A Six Degrees of Freedom (Six-DoF) reentry vehicle model is being developed for control studies. This vehicle model is highly nonlinear, multivariable, unstable and coupling and includes uncertain parameters. An optimal predictive controller is designed according to the feature that reentry vehicle (RV) model is highly nonlinear, fast-variability, coupling, and with parameters of great uncertainties. This method contains two parts, which are inner-loop nonlinear generable predictive control (NGPC) system and outer-loop NGPC system, respectively. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed control method is feasible for RV. Simulation studies are conducted for initial conditions of altitude of 40km and velocity 4500m/s for the responses of the commands of angle of attack, sideslip angle and bank angle. The simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed controller is robust with respect to the interference and parametric uncertainties, and meets the performance requirements with acceptable control inputs.