This book focuses on the design and application of advanced trajectory optimization and guidance and control (G&C) techniques for aerospace vehicles. Part I of the book focuses on the introduction of constrained aerospace vehicle trajectory optimization problems, with particular emphasis on the design of high-fidelity trajectory optimization methods, heuristic optimization-based strategies, and fast convexification-based algorithms. In Part II, various optimization theory/artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods are constructed and presented, including dynamic programming-based methods, model predictive control-based methods, and deep neural network-based algorithms. Key aspects of the application of these approaches, such as their main advantages and inherent challenges, are detailed and discussed. Some practical implementation considerations are then summarized, together with a number of future research topics. The comprehensive and systematic treatment of practical issues in aerospace trajectory optimization and guidance and control problems is one of the main features of the book, which is particularly suitable for readers interested in learning practical solutions in aerospace trajectory optimization and guidance and control. The book is useful to researchers, engineers, and graduate students in the fields of G&C systems, engineering optimization, applied optimal control theory, etc.

This book explores the design of optimal trajectories for space maneuver vehicles (SMVs) using optimal control-based techniques. It begins with a comprehensive introduction to and overview of three main approaches to trajectory optimization, and subsequently focuses on the design of a novel hybrid optimization strategy that combines an initial guess generator with an improved gradient-based inner optimizer. Further, it highlights the development of multi-objective spacecraft trajectory optimization problems, with a particular focus on multi-objective transcription methods and multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. In its final sections, the book studies spacecraft flight scenarios with noise-perturbed dynamics and probabilistic constraints, and designs and validates new chance-constrained optimal control frameworks. The comprehensive and systematic treatment of practical issues in spacecraft trajectory optimization is one of the book’s major features, making it particularly suited for readers who are seeking practical solutions in spacecraft trajectory optimization. It offers a valuable asset for researchers, engineers, and graduate students in GNC systems, engineering optimization, applied optimal control theory, etc.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

This book presents the latest researches on hypersonic steady glide dynamics and guidance, including the concept of steady glide reentry trajectory and the stability of its regular perturbation solutions, trajectory damping control technique for hypersonic glide reentry, singular perturbation guidance of hypersonic glide reentry, trajectory optimization based on steady glide, linear pseudospectral generalized nominal effort miss distance guidance, analytical entry guidance and trajectory-shaping guidance with final speed and load factor constraints. They can be used to solve many new difficult problems in entry guidance. And many practical engineering cases are provided for the readers for better understanding. Researchers and students in the fields of flight vehicle design or flight dynamics, guidance and control could use the book as valuable reference.

This book is an ideal and practical resource on the potential impact Artificial Intelligence (AI) can have in space sciences and applications. AI for Space Application presents a hands-on approach to browse in the subject and to learning how to do. AI is not yet fully accepted as a pervasive technology in space applications because they are often mission-critical and the cost of space equipment and modules raises skepticism on any practical use and reliability. However, it is evident that its potential impact on many aspects is dramatic. Starting from either actual or experimental realizations, the book accompanies the reader through such fascinating subjects like space exploration, autonomous navigation and landing, rover control and guidance on rough surfaces, image analysis automation for planet or star classification, and for space debris avoidance without human intervention. This kind of approach may facilitate further investigations on the same or similar subjects, as the future of space explorations is going toward adopting AI. The intended audience of the book are researchers from academia and space industries and practitioners in related start-ups.