Trajectory Design and Flight Result of Gravity-1 Launch Vehicle

Gravity-1(YL-1) launch vehicle completed its maiden flight from the Yellow Sea near Haiyang City, Shandong Province, on January 11, 2024, this mission successfully launched three Yunyao satellites into their 500 km orbit. The YL-1 has a performance of 4.2 tons for 500 km sun-synchronous orbit and 6.5 tons for low Earth orbit. The success of YL-1 has further enriched China's launch vehicle spectrum, and will facilitate the launch of medium and large satellites and satellite constellations. In this paper, the flight ballistic solution of YL-1 is introduced. The flight trajectory consists of seven flight segments. The trajectory design comprehensively considered the characteristics and safety requirements of the vehicle to achieve effective utilization of the performance. Through comparative analysis of the flight trajectory and the predicted trajectory, the result confirmed that the flight trajectory was consistent with the design results, the design methodology was correct, and the flight test met the expected requirements. Subsequently, the vehicle will be employed for commercial application launch services.

Technical Characteristics and Innovations of the Gravity-1 Launch Vehicle

On January 11, 2024, the Gravity-1 launch vehicle successfully carried out its maiden flight from a mobile sea platform off the coast of Haiyang in Shandong Province, sending three meteorological satellites, Yunyao-1 satellite No. 18-20, into an orbit about 500 km above the ground. The successful debut flight of Gravity-1 broke many records such as the world's largest solid launch vehicle, the first sea-launched strap-on launch vehicle in the world, with the maximum carrying capacity of current commercial launch vehicle in China. This flight marked a big step in the field of China's commercial space launch application. A new breakthrough has been made, which is of great significance for further expanding China's diversified and large-scale launch capabilities of medium and low orbit satellites, expanding the spectrum of China's launch vehicle types, and promoting the development of space science.

Watt Linkage–Based Legged Deployable Landing Mechanism for Reusable Launch Vehicle: Principle, Prototype Design, and Experimental Validation

The reusable launch vehicle (RLV) presents a new avenue for reducing cost of space transportation. The landing mechanism, which provides landing support and impact absorption, is a vital component of the RLV at final stage of recovery. This study proposes a novel legged deployable landing mechanism (LDLM) for RLV. The Watt-II six-bar mechanism is adopted to obtain the preferred configuration via the application of the linkage variation approach. To endow the proposed LDLM with advantages of large landing support region, lightweight, and reasonable linkage internal forces, a multi-objective optimization paradigm is developed. Furthermore, the optimal scale parameters for guiding the LDLM prototype design is obtained numerically using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) evolutionary algorithm. A fully-functional scaled RLV prototype is developed by integrating the gravity-governed deploying scheme to facilitate unfolding action to avoid full-range actuation, a dual-backup locking mechanism to enhance reliability of structure stiffening as fully deployed, and a shock absorber (SA) with multistage honeycomb to offer reliable shock absorbing performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed LDLM is capable of providing rapid and smooth deployment (duration less than 1.5 s) with mild posture disturbance to the cabin (yaw and pitch fluctuations less than 6°). In addition, it provides satisfactory impact attenuation (acceleration peak less than 10g (g is the gravitational acceleration)) in the 0.2 m freefall test, which makes the proposed LDLM a potential alternative for developing future RLV archetype.

Adaptive saturated tracking control for solid launch vehicles in ascending based on differential inclusion stabilization

The large-range uncertainties of specific impulse,mass flow per second,aerodynamic coefficients and atmospheric density during rapid turning in solid launch vehicles(SLVs) ascending leads to the deviation of the actual trajectory from the reference one.One of the traditional trajectory tracking methods is to observe the uncertainties by Extended State Observer(ESO) and then modify the control commands.However,ESO cannot accurately estimate the uncertainties when the uncertainty ranges are large,which reduces the guidance accuracy.This paper introduces differential inclusion(DI) and designs a controller to solve the large-range parameter uncertainties problem.When above uncertainties have large ranges,it can be combined with the ascent dynamic equation and described as a DI system in the mathematical form of a set.If the DI system is stabilized,all the subsets are stabilized.Different from the traditional controllers,the parameters of the designed controller are calculated by the uncertain boundaries.Therefore,the controller can solve the problem of large-range parameter uncertainties of in ascending.Firstly,the ascent deviation system is obtained by linearization along the reference trajectory.The trajectory tracking system with engine parameters and aerodynamic uncertainties is described as an ascent DI system with respect to state deviation,which is called DI system.A DI adaptive saturation tracking controller(DIAST) is proposed to stabilize the DI system.Secondly,an improved barrier Lyapunov function(named time-varying tangent-log barrier Lyapunov function) is proposed to constrain the state deviations.Compared with traditional barrier Lyapunov function,it can dynamically adjust the boundary of deviation convergence,which improve the convergence rate and accuracy of altitude,velocity and LTIA deviation.In addition,the correction amplitudes of angle of attack(AOA) and angle of sideslip(AOS) need to be limited in order to guarantee that the overload constraint is not violated during actual flight.In this paper,a fixed time adaptive saturation compensation auxiliary system is designed to shorten the saturation time and accelerate the convergence rate,which eliminates the adverse effects caused by the saturation.Finally,it is proved that the state deviations are ultimately uniformly bounded under the action of DIAST controller.Simulation results show that the DI ascent tracking system is stabilized within the given uncertainty boundary values.The feasible bounds of uncertainty is broadened compared with Integrated Guidance and Control algorithm.Compared with Robust Gain-Scheduling Control method,the robustness to the engine parameters are greatly improved and the control variable is smoother.

Safety Assessment of Liquid Launch Vehicle Structures Based on Interpretable Belief Rule Base

A liquid launch vehicle is an important carrier in aviation,and its regular operation is essential to maintain space security.In the safety assessment of fluid launch vehicle body structure,it is necessary to ensure that the assessmentmodel can learn self-response rules from various uncertain data and not differently to provide a traceable and interpretable assessment process.Therefore,a belief rule base with interpretability(BRB-i)assessment method of liquid launch vehicle structure safety status combines data and knowledge.Moreover,an innovative whale optimization algorithm with interpretable constraints is proposed.The experiments are carried out based on the liquid launch vehicle safety experiment platform,and the information on the safety status of the liquid launch vehicle is obtained by monitoring the detection indicators under the simulation platform.The MSEs of the proposed model are 3.8000e-03,1.3000e-03,2.1000e-03,and 1.8936e-04 for 25%,45%,65%,and 84%of the training samples,respectively.It can be seen that the proposed model also shows a better ability to handle small sample data.Meanwhile,the belief distribution of the BRB-i model output has a high fitting trend with the belief distribution of the expert knowledge settings,which indicates the interpretability of the BRB-i model.Experimental results show that,compared with other methods,the BRB-i model guarantees the model’s interpretability and the high precision of experimental results.

Robust Attitude Control for Reusable Launch Vehicles Based on Fractional Calculus and Pigeon-inspired Optimization

In this paper, a robust attitude control system based on fractional order sliding mode control and dynamic inversion approach is presented for the reusable launch vehicle RLV during the reentry phase. By introducing the fractional order sliding surface to replace the integer order one, we design robust outer loop controller to compensate the error introduced by inner loop controller designed by dynamic inversion approach. To take the uncertainties of aerodynamic parameters into account, stochastic robustness design approach based on the Monte Carlo simulation and Pigeon-inspired optimization is established to increase the robustness of the controller. Some simulation results are given out which indicate the reliability and effectiveness of the attitude control system. © 2014 Chinese Association of Automation.

Monte Carlo simulation of stage separation dynamics of a multistage launch vehicle

This paper provides the formulation used for studing the cold and hot separating stages of a multistage launch vehicle. Monte Carlo simulation is employed to account for the off nominal design parameters of the bodies undergoing separation to evaluate the risk of failure for the separation event. All disturbances, effect of dynamic unbalance, residual thrust, separation disturbance caused by the separation mechanism and misalignment in cold and hot separation are analyzed to find out nonoccurrence of collision between the separation bodies. The results indicate that the current design satisfies the separation requirements.

Hierarchical structured robust adaptive attitude controller design for reusable launch vehicles

Reentry attitude control for reusable launch vehicles （RLVs） is challenging due to the characters of fast nonlinear dy- namics and large flight envelop. A hierarchical structured attitude control system for an RLV is proposed and an unpowered RLV con- trol model is developed. Then, the hierarchical structured control frame consisting of attitude controller, compound control strategy and control allocation is presented. At the core of the design is a robust adaptive control （RAC） law based on dual loop time-scale separation. A radial basis function neural network （RBFNN） is implemented for compensation of uncertain model dynamics and external disturbances in the inner loop. And then the robust op- timization is applied in the outer loop to guarantee performance robustness. The overall control design frame retains the simplicity in design while simultaneously assuring the adaptive and robust performance. The hierarchical structured robust adaptive con- troller （HSRAC） incorporates flexibility into the design with regard to controller versatility to various reentry mission requirements. Simulation results show that the improved tracking performance is achieved by means of RAC.

Six-DOF trajectory optimization for reusable launch vehicles via Gauss pseudospectral method

To be close to the practical flight process and increase the precision of optimal trajectory, a six-degree-offreedom（6-DOF） trajectory is optimized for the reusable launch vehicle（RLV） using the Gauss pseudospectral method（GPM）. Different from the traditional trajectory optimization problem which generally considers the RLV as a point mass, the coupling between translational dynamics and rotational dynamics is taken into account. An optimization problem is formulated to minimize a performance index subject to 6-DOF equations of motion, including translational and rotational dynamics. A two-step optimal strategy is then introduced to reduce the large calculations caused by multiple variables and convergence confinement in 6-DOF trajectory optimization. The simulation results demonstrate that the 6-DOF trajectory optimal strategy for RLV is feasible.

Adaptive fault-tolerant control of heavy lift launch vehicle via differential algebraic observer

A novel adaptive fault-tolerant control scheme in the differential algebraic framework was proposed for attitude control of a heavy lift launch vehicle （HLLV）. By using purely mathematical transformations, the decoupled input-output representations of HLLV were derived, rendering three decoupled second-order systems, i.e., pitch, yaw and roll channels. Based on a new type of numerical differentiator, a differential algebraic observer （DAO） was proposed for estimating the system states and the generalized disturbances, including various disturbances and additive fault torques. Driven by DAOs, three improved proportional-integral- differential （PID） controllers with disturbance compensation were designed for pitch, yaw and roll control. All signals in the closed-loop system were guaranteed to be ultimately uniformly bounded by utilization of Lyapunov＇s indirect method. The convincing numerical simulations indicate that the proposed control scheme is successful in achieving high performance in the presence of parametric perturbations, external disturbances, noisy corruptions, and actuator faults.

Technology Improvement for the High Reliability LM-2F Launch Vehicle

The Long March 2 F(LM-2F) launch vehicle, the only launch vehicle designed for manned space flight in China, successfully launched the Tiangong 2 space laboratory and the Shenzhou 11 manned spaceship into orbits in 2016 respectively. In this study, it introduces the technological improvements for enhancing the reliability of the LM-2F launch vehicle in the aspects of general technology, control system, manufacture and ground support system. The LM-2F launch vehicle will continue to provide more contributions to the Chinese Space Station Project with its high reliability and 100% success rate.

Rigid-Flexible Coupling Dynamic Analysis of Sub-Launched Vehicle During the Vertical Tube-Exit Stage

During the launching stage,hydrodynamic pressure and adapters' reaction loads can influence the vehicle's rigid motion as well as cause its structural vibration,which is a typical rigid-flexible coupling dynamic problem. This paper presents a 2-D rigid-flexible coupling model to calculate the vehicle's dynamic responses in that period.The vehicle was equivalent to a flexure beam with axial deformation. Hybrid coordinate and modal superposition methods were used to describe its large rigid displacement and small deformation. By the second Lagrange equation,the vehicle centroid's displacements,rotational angle and modal coordinates were chosen as generalized coordinates and then the vehicle 's rigid-flexible coupling dynamic equations were obtained. By numerical simulation,the results of vehicle's motion parameters and transverse internal loads were acquired.The calculation results showed that differences of the vehicle's motion parameters between the rigid-flexible coupling model and the rigid body assumption are noticeable and the peak magnitude of the vehicle's transverse internal loads in the rigid-flexible coupling model is higher remarkably than that in the rigid body assumption.

Intelligent and Autonomous Flight Technology for Launch Vehicles

This paper proposes the architecture of an intelligent flight launcher system as well as fundamental solutions to capability prediction and dynamic planning. This effort reflects the latest progress in the applications of intelligent and autonomous technology for launcher flights. The paper first describes the characteristics and capabilities of intelligent and autonomous systems and classifies various related technologies. In the context of intelligent and autonomous technology in aerospace engineering, it then focuses on technical difficulties involved with intelligent flight and reviews developments in the field. An E^3 classification model of an intelligent flight launcher is then proposed and its application scenarios are discussed. Based on an intelligent flight system configuration of the launcher, the online trajectory planning and initial value guess are examined, and vertical landing is provided as an example to explain the effects of the implementation of computational intelligence to flight systems.

The Development of Autonomous Dynamic Trajectory Optimization Control of Launch Vehicles

This paper first introduces the technical requirements for autonomous flight, with a brief review of the International Academy of Astronautics(IAA) study group, "autonomous dynamic trajectory optimization control of launch vehicle". Two research scenarios, ascent rescue and powered descent, are compared from the viewpoint of optimal control. On this basis, the technologies on the autonomous trajectory planning and control under the thrust-drop failures in the ascending phase, and the autonomous guidance method during the powered landing for the recovery of the rockets are discussed respectively. For the ascending problem, the characteristics of different solutions, including the iterative guidance method(IGM)-based residual carrying capacity evaluation, the state-triggered indices(STI), the joint planning with the payload’s performance, and the multiple graded optimization(MGO), are analyzed for comparison. For the landing problem, the challenges such as the feasible region reduction caused by high thrust weight ratio(HTWR) and the disturbance adaptability brought by the limited feasible region, are studied in detail, as well as the onboard planning demonstration flight in China are introduced. Finally, the foundations supporting the above methods are summarized, which play an important role in promoting the flight autonomy.

Design of Neural Network Variable Structure Reentry Control System for Reusable Launch Vehicle

A flight control system is designed for a reusable launch vehicle with aerodynamic control surfaces and reaction control system based on a variable-structure control and neural network theory.The control problems of coupling among the channels and the uncertainty of model parameters are solved by using the method.High precise and robust tracking of required attitude angles can be achieved in complicated air space.A mathematical model of reusable launch vehicle is presented first,and then a controller of flight system is presented.Base on the mathematical model,the controller is divided into two parts:variable-structure controller and neural network module which is used to modify the parameters of controller.This control system decouples the lateraldirectional tunnels well with a neural network sliding mode controller and provides a robust and de-coupled tracking for mission angle profiles.After this a control allocation algorithm is employed to allocate the torque moments to aerodynamic control surfaces and thrusters.The final simulation shows that the control system has a good accurate,robust and de-coupled tracking performance.The stable state error is less than 1°,and the overshoot is less than 5%.

Innovation and Outlook of the New Generation of Cryogenic and Quick-Launch Launch Vehicle

This paper introduces a launch vehicle scheme for the new generation of cryogenic and quick-launch launch vehicle(LM-6). The main technical innovations of LM-6 launch vehicle include the capability of twenty satellites launched by one vehicle, high-pressure staged combustion cycle engine and oxygen tank self-pressurization, sandwich bulkhead tank with 200 K temperature difference, and 7-day quick-launch using the "three horizontals" test and launch mode with integral transportation and erection. The future development of the quick-launch launch vehicle is predicted based upon the need for vehicle mission coverage improvement, better response speed, and stronger market competiveness.

Development of China＇s New Generation Launch Vehicles

In the past 2 years, China's new generation launch vehicles, such as the LM-6, LM-7, LM-5 and LM-11 launch vehicles, successfully made the maiden flights, which marked Chinese Long March series launch vehicles having many achievements such as the diameter of launch vehicles increased from 3.35 m to 5 m and the toxic propellants replaced with non-toxic and pollution-free propellants. This paper will introduce the features and new technology of LM-7, LM-5 and LM-11 launch vehicles, which are China's new typical generation Launch vehicles.

The Development Characteristics and Trends of Heavy Launch Vehicles

Heavy launch vehicles represent the ability of a country to enter space and utilize space resources. In re-cent years, with the growth in human space exploration, the major aerospace powers and companies in the world areplanning to develop heavy launch vehicles. This study analyzes the development of heavy launch vehicles in the world,reviews the characteristics of China's heavy launch vehicle serial configuration, and then proposes common points anddevelopment trends of future heavy launch vehicles in the world.

Analysis and Solution of Multipath Effect on Wireless Communications of Launch Vehicle

The electrical system in a launch vehicle contains multiple wireless communications systems. A large number of prelaunch tests are needed to verify the correctness and reliability of electric systems at the launch site. The complex electromagnetic environment at a launch site will inevitably cause multipath effect which interfere with prelaunch tests. Theory analysis and simulation of multipath effect, combined with engineering practice, can effective identify and quickly correct abnormal situations, and identify methods and measures to eliminate the influence of multipath interference.

Low Cost and Reusability of Launch Vehicle

This paper analyzes the launch price of the launch vehicles, domestic and abroad, studies the status and trend of the low cost launch vehicles, and introduces two measures to reduce the cost by means of evolved and disruptive technologies, utilizing the concept of low cost manufacturing and operating modes as well. This paper also analyzes the launch strategies for small satellites such as piggyback, networking launch, and single launch with a small launch vehicle(SLV). Finally, the development trend of reusable launch vehicles is discussed as well as the development prospects for China's reusable launch vehicle.