Neuro robust adaptive descending control of space vehicles

Accurate descending control is crucial to ensure safe operation of space exploration vehicles. This work investigates automatic trajectory tracking control of space vehicles during landing phase. A set of algorithms for adjusting vehicle heading angle, heading speed and altitude are derived using adaptive robust and neural network control techniques. It is shown that with the proposed control algorithms, external disturbances and coupled dynamics inherent in the system are effectively compensated. Simulations on various flight conditions also confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2007 International Federation of Automatic Control All Rights Reserved.