Rapid trajectory optimization for hypersonic entry using a pseudospectral-convex algorithm

Aiming at improving the autonomy of hypersonic entry vehicles, a rapid trajectory optimization algorithm, which has the potential to be implemented online and onboard, is proposed in this paper. The nonlinear and nonconvex hypersonic entry trajectory optimization problem is transformed into a series of convex subproblems through a proper combination of the pseudospectral method and an improved successive convexification method; thus, the high discretization accuracy of the pseudospectral method and the fast and deterministic convergence properties of the convex-optimization-based algorithm can be simultaneously exploited. The resulting subproblems can be solved efficiently by matured interior-point methods, and the solution converges rapidly by adopting a novel dynamic trust-region updating approach. The optimality of the solution is verified by the optimal control theory. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by numerical experiments.