Optimal relegation and regulation for intelligent Space Shuttle vehicle control

An intelligent control system framework for space vehicles powered by reusable rocket engines has been proposed which decomposes the vehicle control task into hierarchical levels composed of nominally independent task coordinators. This structure is briefly described. The issues of relegation of control action among multiple actuators or engines and the design of regulating controllers which utilize this information in order to minimize mission risk and component stress and maximize operating efficiency are discussed. The above concepts are illustrated using an example drawn from the context of the Space Shuttle vehicle: the implementation of a thrust vector coordinator for a planar vehicle