ABAMGuid+: An Enhanced Aerocapture Guidance Framework using Augmented Bank Angle Modulation

Abstract: Aerocapture consists of converting a hyperbolic approach trajectory into a captured target orbit utilizing the aerodynamic forces generated via a single pass through the atmosphere. Aerocapture guidance systems must be robust to significant environmental variations and modeling uncertainty, particularly regarding atmospheric properties and delivery conditions. Recent work has shown that enabling control over both bank angle and angle of attack, a strategy referred to as augmented bank angle modulation (ABAM), can improve robustness to entry state and atmospheric uncertainties. In this work, we derive optimal control solutions for an aerocapture vehicle using ABAM. We first formulate the problem using a linear aerodynamic model and derive closed-form optimal control profiles using Pontryagin's Minimum Principle. To increase modeling fidelity, we also consider a quadratic aerodynamic model and obtain the solution directly using the optimality conditions. Both formulations are solved numerically using Gauss pseudospectral methods (via GPOPS, a software tool for pseudospectral optimal control), to validate the analytic solutions. We then introduce a novel aerocapture guidance algorithm, ABAMGuid+, which indirectly minimizes propellant usage by mimicking the structure of the optimal control solution, enabling efficient guidance by avoiding the complexity of solving the full optimal control problem online. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations of a Uranus aerocapture mission demonstrate that ABAMGuid+ increases capture success rates and reduces post-capture propellant requirements relative to previous methods.