The analysis and design of control system for unpowered skipping-glide air vehicle in near space

In allusion to the skipping-glide trajectory of the near space unpowered vehicle, one control system for the skipping-glide trajectory is presented. Firstly, the aerodynamic characteristic of the near space unpowered vehicle is analyzed. Secondly, the impacts of different flight altitudes and flight-path angles on the velocity variation rate are studied. Thirdly, the control system is designed based on the approach of combination of theoretical analysis and engineering trial and error. Finally, the effectiveness of the control system is verified by the computer simulation. The comparison of traditional cruise trajectory and the skipping-glide trajectory verifies that reasonable skipping-glide trajectory is superior to the traditional cruise trajectory in increasing the flying range and maintaining the velocity for the near space unpowered vehicle.