Development of a blended-control, predictor-corrector guidance algorithm for a crewed Mars aerocapture vehicle

A robust blended-control guidance system for a crewed Mars aerocapture vehicle is developed. The key features of its guidance algorithm are the use of the both bank-angle and angle-of-attack modulation to control the aerobraking vehicle, and the use of multiple controls (sequenced pairs of bank-angles and angles-of-attack) within its numeric predictor-corrector targeting routine. The guidance algorithm macrologic is based on extensive open loop trajectory analyses, described in the present research, which led to the selection of a blended-control scheme. A heuristic approach to recover from situations where no converged guidance solution could be found by the numeric predictor-corrector is implemented in the guidance algorithm, and has been successfully demonstrated in a large number of test runs.; In this research both the outer and inner loop of the guidance and control system employ the POST (Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories) computer code as the basic simulation module. At each guidance update, the inner loop solves the rigorous three-dimensional equations of motion and computes the control (bank-angle and angle-of-attack) sequence that is required to meet the required atmospheric exit conditions. Throughout the aerocapture trajectory, the guidance algorithm modifies this control sequence computed by the inner loop, and generates commanded controls for the vehicle, which, when implemented by the outer loop, meet an imposed g-load constraint of 5 Earth g's and compensate for unexpected off-nominal conditions.; This blended-control, predictor-corrector guidance algorithm has been successfully developed, implemented and tested and has been shown to be capable of meeting the prescribed g-load constraint and guiding the vehicle to the desired exit conditions for a range of off-nominal factors much wider than those which could be accommodated by prior algorithms and bank-angle-only guidance.