Sensitivity Analysis of Maximum Range Trajectories for Hypersonic Reentry Vehicle

Trajectory optimization is usually an important work in the flight vehicle’s conceptual design and mission planning, while sensitivity analysis of the optimized trajectory could provide a deep insight of the potential influencing factors. Concentrating on the sensitivity analysis of maximum range trajectories for hypersonic reentry vehicle, this paper presents a hybrid solution framework combing trajectory optimization and orthogonal experiment techniques. The global effects of the reentry vehicle’s initial states, aerodynamic parameters, and physical parameters on the maximum range trajectories are quantitatively analyzed. The feasibility and validity are demonstrated by numerical simulations. The sensitivity analysis framework herein may provide a beneficial reference for the optimal mission design and analysis of the other flight vehicles.