Spacecraft Reentry Trajectory Optimization using Search Space Reduction Technique

This paper presents the application of a very recently proposed search space reduction (SSR) technique to solve the spacecraft reentry trajectory optimization problem. The SSR technique is a population-based metaheuristic technique that has successfully optimized standard benchmark functions. This paper explores the idea of using the SSR technique to get the optimized spacecraft reentry trajectories. As the re-entry of the spacecraft is unpowered, angle of attack and bank angle are considered as the control variables that are modulated to control the spacecraft. Firstly, the SSR technique is used to find the control profiles that maximize the crossrange capability of the spacecraft. Secondly, the SSR technique is used to minimize the total heat experienced by the vehicle. The results show that the SSR technique has resulted in optimal control profiles using which the desired terminal conditions of the spacecraft are accurately met. Copyright (C) 2022 the Authors.