Pulse motor control for maximizing average velocity

This paper examines the problem of optimal pulse rocket motor control for minimum time to a specified final range. A complete characterization of the pulsing conditions is derived for the constant altitude case. The results are portrayed in the form of pulse-firing envelopes (one for each pulse) that are range- and velocity-dependent. For the variable altitude case, the problem of optimized guidance and pulse motor control in the vertical plane is treated. One of the major conclusions from this problem analysis is that the use of pulse motors offers little advantage when vertical plane guidance is optimized in the absence of constraints. Special attention is given to the optimality conditions that arise at the junction of boost and coast arcs, and a numerical procedure for computing the junction condition is outlined.