Research of onboard trajectory generation technology of Terminal Area Energy Management for RLVs

Terminal area energy management (TAEM) is the flight phase between reentry and autolanding for RLVs (reusable launch vehicles). TAEM plays a role of managing energy of RLV and adjusting its lateral trajectory to make end of TAEM meet the initial energy and position requirements of autolanding. Based on analysis of the guidance method for space shuttle in TAEM, the conception of onboard guidance is provided to resolve the limitations of TAEM guidance for shuttle. The kernel algorithm frame is described by means of a vivid analogy. In addition, a concrete algorithm for onboard generation of TAEM lateral trajectory is developed. It is a 3-stepped lateral trajectory convergence algorithm which can save much computation and is fitter for onboard trajectory design. Finally, the propagation results of the TAEM trajectory prove the algorithm effective.