Hybrid simulation of a lifting re-entry vehicle

Abstract

During the past ten years a great deal of research and development work has been conducted on various types of re-entry vehicles. Numerous techniques for guiding and controlling re-entry vehicles have been proposed. The purpose of this simulation is to evaluate the capability of a new flight control system for reentry vehicles which by its nature is simple, reliable and inherently insures a safe re-entry. The ensuing discussion explains the unique control system being studied, and includes a detailed discussion of the simulation equipment required and its programming.