Patent attributes
A computer implemented method is provided for in-flight trajectory steering a vehicle by an optimal path to a destination. This includes incorporating physical constants; setting initial angle of attack (AoA) and initial AoA rate; incrementing flight AoA; measuring operation parameters; establishing a flight trajectory; calculating an optimal trajectory; comparing flight trajectories; and commanding flight control. The physical constants include gravity and atmospheric conditions. The flight AoA increments from the initial AoA and any prior increments. The operation parameters of the vehicle include pressure, velocity and flight path angle. The flight trajectory denotes the vehicle's path to its destination based on the operation parameters using the physical constants. The optimal trajectory is based on with altitude and velocity of the vehicle. The flight trajectory is compared to the optimal trajectory as a steering correction by altering the flight AoA. The vehicle's flight control executes the steering correction at the flight AoA.
