Computational Method for Optimal Guidance and Control Using Adaptive Gaussian Quadrature Collocation

What is it about?

Advanced methods for guidance and control are of interest to engineers. In this paper a new method for guidance and control is developed that employs the numerical solution of optimal control problems using a technique called orthogonal collocation at Gaussian quadrature points together with sparse nonlinear optimization. The method is demonstrated on three challenging aerospace flight optimal control problems. It is shown that the method enables rapidly re-solving the optimal control problem to perform midcourse corrections due to errors in the actual motion of the system. The method will be of use to researchers interested in new methods for guidance and control.

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