A multiaxis thrust-vectoring nozzle designed to have equal ow-turning capability in pitch and yaw was conceived and experimentally tested for internal static performance at Langley Research Center. The cruciform-shaped, convergent-divergent nozzle turned the ow for thrust vectoring by deeecting the divergent surfaces of the nozzle, called aps. Methods for eliminating physical interference betwe...

The development of new mission concepts requires efficient methodologies to analyze, design, and simulate the concepts before implementation. New mission concepts are increasingly considering the use of ion thrusters for fuel-efficient navigation in deep space. This paper presents parallel, evolutionary computing methods to design trajectories of spacecraft propelled by ion thrusters and assess...

This paper describes an approach for controlling the attitude of statically unsable thrust-levitated vehicles in hover or slow translation. The large thrust vector that characterizes such vehicles can be modulated to provide control forces and moments to the airframe, but such modulation is accompanied by significant unsteady flow effects. These effects are difficult to model, and can compromis...

This paper gives a brief introduction to some of the experimental facilities at Caltech being used for instruction and research. Two experiments are described: a ight control experiment using a vector thrust engine, and a low-speed, axial ow compressor rig. A common hardware and software infrastructure is used to control these experiments, allowing easy transition from instructional to research...

Abstract Hall-effect thrusters (HETs) are among the most commonly used propulsion systems for attitude and orbit control of satellites. As an arrangement in a cluster or individually, equipped with mechanical suspension, thrust all three spatial directions can be generated, but requires additional mechanisms components. Therefore, Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden) is currently working...

This paper describes an approach based on using both bias momentum and multiple control moment gyros for controlling the attitude of statically unstable thrustlevitated vehicles in hover or slow translation. The stabilization approach described in this paper uses these internal angular momentum transfer devices for stability, augmented by thrust vectoring for trim and other “outer loop” control...

Abstract— This paper presents a method for locally optimal control of the thrust vector electric propulsion system (EPS) spacecraft that performs multiturn interorbital transfer from initial elliptical orbit into geostationary (GSO). The represents time dependences angles characterize EPS orientation in space. Here, it is assumed always on. proposed algorithm belongs to class feedback algorithm...