Simulations and Flight Tests of a New Nonlinear Controller for the EAGLE Lander

Abstract

This paper describes the complete control strategy developed for EAGLE, a Vertical Takeoff, Vertical-Landing vehicle conceived and realized by the German Aerospace Center for the testing and the validation of GNC technologies. A nonlinear controller, divided in thrust-vector control and position control, based on Sliding Mode Theory, has been developed. Simulations and real flight tests, realized in a DLR ad-hoc facility, are described. Results show that the proposed control strategy is able to successfully control EAGLE in a highly constrained scenario, as well as in the presence of multiple uncertainties and disturbances