Benefits of trajectory optimization in airship flights

Yiyuan J. Zhao, William L. Garrard, Joe Mueller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper studies characteristics of optimal airship flight trajectories in the atmosphere. Principles of airship flight are first reviewed. A three-dimensional point-mass model including the effect of added mass is developed. Airship flight from given initial conditions to specified final conditions is formulated as a nonlinear optimal control problem. Performances are selected to minimize the flight time or the energy consumption. Path constraints are imposed on airship states and controls in obtaining optimal flight trajectories. Approximate analytical solutions are obtained under several simplifying assumptions. Then, the original problem is converted into a parameter optimization problem using a collocation approach, and example numerical solutions are obtained. Main features of the numerical solutions are consistent with approximate analytical solutions. The flight times and energy consumptions of the two performance indices are compared.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCollection of Technical Papers - AIAA 3rd "Unmanned-Unlimited" Technical Conference, Workshop, and Exhibit
Pages591-604
Number of pages14
StatePublished - Dec 1 2004
EventCollection of Technical Papers - AIAA 3rd "Unmanned-Unlimited" Technical Conference, Workshop, and Exhibit - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Sep 20 2004Sep 23 2004

Publication series

NameCollection of Technical Papers - AIAA 3rd "Unmanned-Unlimited" Technical Conference, Workshop, and Exhibit
Volume2

Other

OtherCollection of Technical Papers - AIAA 3rd "Unmanned-Unlimited" Technical Conference, Workshop, and Exhibit
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period9/20/049/23/04

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