Robust control of a laboratory scale launch vehicle model using fast output sampling technique

Fast output sampling control has been shown recently to be useful for various applications. The present work attempts to utilize the same control law for a completely new application: the autopilot controller design for a launch vehicle system. A linearized model representing rigid body dynamics of a launch vehicle system has been derived using the basic non-linear and coupled equations. The equations are simplified using the assumptions compatible with a laboratory scale launch vehicle model. To prevent the problems of poor error dynamics and noise sensitivity arising in practical applications, the design problem is transformed into an equivalent linear matrix inequality (LMI) form to realize a robust state feedback approximately by fast output sampling, in a way that closeness to the original design can be traded against reducing the deteriorating effects. Multi-model robust stabilization is achieved with satisfactory results.