Optimal Skip Entry Trajectory for Lunar Return Vehicle with Trim-Flaps

Abstract

A medium lift-to-drag ratio lunar return vehicle with trim-flaps is presented in this paper. The trajectory optimization design under heat-rate constrain for skip entry lunar return vehicle is analyzed. The optimization problem with a first-order state constraint is introduced. The trajectory applying the Pontryagin maximum principle under the performance of minimum heat is optimized, and the optimal expression of lift coefficient is derived. The simulation studies show that this research method can decrease the heat-rate effectively.