ReFEx: Reusability Flight Experiment – Trajectory Design

Abstract

The DLR project ReFEx aims at flying a trajectory representative for aerodynamically controlled stages. Further objectives are demonstrating maneuverability capabilities and ensuring safety. The ReFEx trajectory is oriented towards flight paths of operational and conceptual winged reentry vehicles represented in a Mach-Altitude map. Reentry trajectories are designed based on iterative solution of three degrees of freedom equations of motion. To analyze the mission performance under perturbed conditions, they are integrated in a six degrees of freedom, closed loop simulation environment. After the experimental phase and prior to touchdown a reduction of impact energy through a flare maneuver is foreseen.