Constrained Optimization of Launch Vehicle Trajectory Using Spline and Bezier Curves

Design of launch vehicle (LV) trajectory is among the problems in which the use of optimization is of high significance. Implementing optimization using optimal control problem leads to a two point boundary value problem (TPBVS) that can be solved only numerically. On the other hand, development of optimal control problem for sophisticated model is very intricate and therefore simulation-based optimization plays an Important role in these problems. In this paper, a LV trajectory defining control input as a parameteic function with linear, Spline and Bezier functions was designed and its fuel consumption was optimized using Genetic Algorithm. Result analyses speculate that Bezier and Spline functions arrives to favorable consequences in terms of meeting terminal Boundary Condition (B. C), optimality of LV payload and also number of optimization parameters.