Simulation and flight test of autonomous guidance of a small reusable rocket using parafoil

This paper presents computer simulation and flight test of a small reusable rocket which was launched in an annual rocket launch campaign held in France. The mission of the rocket is autonomous guidance to a target point using parafoil. Authors developed a recovery system that has two stage parachute and parafoil riser separation mechanism to avoid tangling of string. Guidance controller was developed by computer simulation and ground test. The rocket launching and parafoil deployment were successful. No tangling was occurred when the parafoil deployed. The apogee was almost the same as the simulation. However, the attitude of the rocket got into a deep spiral motion, and the autonomous guidance was not fully completed as planned.