ROBUST PARAMETRICALLY VARYING ATTITUDE CONTROLLER DESIGNS FOR THE X-33 VEHICLE

Robust linear parameter varying (LPV) control design techniques are applied to the attitude control of the X-33, a single-stage to orbit prototype vehicle. The focus of the research is to develop techniques which will allow for a variety of trajectories without significant redesign of the control system. The LPV design method is described, and applied to a representative problem: control of the pitch axis dynamics during ascent. The work is on-going and this paper details the design problem formulation.