Investigation of the Performance Characteristics of Re-Entry Vehicles

<p>When a non-US spacecraft reenters the Earth's atmosphere having the ability to accurately determine its performance characteristics is a primary concern. This study investigated the atmospheric re-entry profiles of a maneuverable re-entry vehicle. The re-entry vehicle was modeled as a point mass with aerodynamic properties. Equations of motion were numerically integrated giving the time histories of position velocity and flight path angle. The algorithm is able to generate a complete and feasible entry trajectory of approximately 25-minute flight time in about 5 to 10 seconds on a desktop computer given the entry conditions and values of constraint parameters. This preliminary study shows the feasibility of identifying and further exploring the technical challenges involved in using a mathematical model to simulate the performance characteristics of the maneuvering re-entry vehicle.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>