Fuel-Optimal Powered Descent Guidance for Hazardous Terrain

Abstract: Future interplanetary missions will carry more and more sensitive equipment critical for setting up bases for crewed missions. The ability to manoeuvre around hazardous terrain thus becomes a critical mission aspect. However, large diverts and manoeuvres consume a significant amount of fuel, leading to less fuel remaining for emergencies or return missions. Thus, requiring more fuel to be carried onboard. This work presents fuel-optimal guidance to avoid hazardous terrain and safely land at the desired location. We approximate the hazardous terrain as step-shaped polygons and define barriers around the terrain. Using an augmented cost functional, fuel-optimal guidance command, which avoids the terrain, is derived. The results are validated using computer simulations and tested against many initial conditions to prove their effectiveness.