10.2514/6.2025-0223">
 

Varying Fidelity Comparative Analysis of Space Shuttle (STS-1) Reentry Dynamics

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-6-2025

Abstract

This paper describes concepts, modeling decisions, and engineering approximations that can be used to develop reentry simulations at various degree(s)-of-freedom (DOF). Included in this paper is a methodology for simulating the inaugural flight of the Space Shuttle (STS-1) from 3DOF to 6DOF. This paper uniquely quantifies trajectory state error to consolidate information that quantifies simulation error due to various design choices. Utilizing this methodology, it is demonstrated that the maximum error incurred by a Newtonian panel-method is O(10−3). Additionally, in 6DOF, various tracking control solutions including first and second-order attitude controllers are implemented to compare various estimation methods for tracking a specified control solution. Error analysis for each DOF simulation show that 4DOF modeling accurately captures the desired translational state trajectory; however, 6DOF modeling is necessary to properly consider the control torque. This paper demonstrates how various challenges to 6DOF modeling can be overcome to produce accurate reconstructions of a complex reentry scenario.

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Source Publication

AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum

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