Assignment 1

Space Mission Design Optimisation

Aman Gupta (SC12B008)
Problem Statement:
A single stage vehicle lifts off from a launch station. The lift off mass is 10000 kg and thrust
at lift off is 150 kN. The vehicle is loaded with 8000 kg of propellant with an Isp of 250 s.
The vehicle rises vertically for 20 seconds then continues its motion a constant turnover of 1
deg/sec for 10 seconds and finally follows gravity turn trajectory till burn out. Analyze and
discuss the trajectory. CD = 0.5. Density at Earth surface = 1.22 kg/m3. Reference area = 2
m2 .
Plot the following till burn out:

Time Vs Altitude

Time Vs Velocity

Time Vs. Flight path Angle

Time Vs Dynamic Pressure

Time Vs acceleration
Solution:
The problem is divided in 3 parts. The solution of each part is discussed both numerically and
analytically.
Part 1- The vertical phase. Gaining altitude, but no gain of range. The equations of motion
are written as:
my T D mg
mx 0

(1)
(2)

Where m is the mass of the rocket, T is the Thrust, D is the Drag force and g is the
acceleration due to gravity which is taken as varying as the altitude increases.
Assumptions:
Constant Thrust acting along the vehicle axis.
Propellant weight flow rate is constant.
The mass reduction is only due to propellant outflow.
Result:
Table 1: Results after Vertical take-off phase (time elapsed=10 s)
Numerical Result
Numerical Result
Analytical Result
with no Drag
with Drag
Altitude
276.099 m
274.55 m
275.83 m
Velocity
56.74 m/s
56.11 m/s
56.74 m/s
Flight path angle
90 degrees
90 degrees
90 degrees
Dynamic pressure
1890.005 Pa
1848.45 Pa
1890.40 Pa
2
2
Acceleration
6.17 m/s
5.97 m/s
6.17 m/s2
Property

Part 2-Constant turn over phase. The equations of motion are written as:
my T sin( ) A sin( ) mg
mx T cos( ) A cos( )

(3)
(4)

Figure 1: FBD for a rocket

Where is the angle of attack
is the Gimbal angle
is the flight path angle
A is the Axial force acting opp. to vehicle axis
N is the Normal force perpendicular to vehicle axis
V is the velocity vector
Assumptions:
Centrifugal force is not taken into account i.e. Flat earth model
Thrust acts along vehicle axis.
( ) constant for a small flight time duration.

Table 2: Results after Constant turn over phase (time elapsed=20 s)

Property
Numerical result with Numerical Result
Analytical Result
no Drag
with Drag
Altitude
1167.123 m
1140.684 m
1156.107 m
Velocity
123.74 m/s
118.33 m/s
123.75 m/s
Flight path angle
83.94 degrees
83.89 degrees
83.94 degrees
Dynamic pressure
7943.37 Pa
7291.25 Pa
7956.85 Pa
Acceleration
7.55 m/s2
6.74 m/s2
7.55 m/s2

Part 3-Gravity Turn phase. The equations of motion are written as

mV T D mg sin( )
mV mg cos( )

(5)
(6)

Take 90 , the above equations can be transformed as:

mV T D mg cos( )

(7)

mV mg sin( )

(8)

After the second phase is over, Flight path angle is 83.94 degrees which is taken as the initial
angle for gravity turn phase. Drag has to be taken into account for both analytical and
numerical solution.
Assumptions:
Normal and Centrifugal forces are ignored.
Thrust is in vehicle direction.
Axial force A D .
(T D)
In analytical solution, k
is taken as constant for small time duration.
W
Table 3: Results after Gravity turn phase (time elapsed=burn time=130.8 s)
Numerical result ( Drag included
Analytical Result
after constant turn phase)
Altitude
64.31 km
64.32 km
Velocity
2607.47 m/s
2609.34 m/s
Flight path angle
30.76 degrees
30.73 degrees
Dynamic pressure
548.47 Pa
553.32 Pa
2
Acceleration
68.80 m/s
68.80 m/s2
Property

Graphs:

Figure 2: Trajectory of the Rocket

Figure 3: Altitude vs. Time

Figure 4: Velocity vs. Time

Figure 5: Flight path angle vs. Time

Figure 6: Dynamic Pressure vs. Time

Figure 7: Acceleration vs. Time

Note: In all graphs, analytical and numerical solution with no drag means that drag is not
taken into account till time t=20 sec i.e. till constant turn over phase. After time t=20 sec,
drag is incorporated in both analytical and numerical solution.
Observations:
1. The trajectory is plotted in Figure 1. The rocket is slowly attaining a horizontal
position starting from vertical position initially.
2. Analytical solution matches very well with the numerical result as can be seen from
the Graphs given before. It appears to superimpose the Numerical solution with no
Drag. The analytical solution was faster in computation compared to the numerical
result.
3. Inclusion of Drag plays a very important role. Although the drag is very small as
compared to Thrust but its effect is built up creating a difference of 2.93 km as seen in
Figure 2. No difference as such comes into picture in final velocity and final
acceleration. The flight path angle varies by an angle of 2.34 degrees. Other variations
can be seen in Tables 1 and 2.
4. A sudden kink in the acceleration is seen in Figure 7 at time t=20 sec for analytical
and Numerical solution with no Drag. This is because of the fact that till time t=20
sec, no drag has been taken into account and the drag part only comes into picture for
Gravity turn phase. This kink is absent when Drag is included for whole time.
5. Gravity is assumed to be changing throughout the phase. It changes from 9.81 at the
earths surface to 9.61 at burn out.
6. As the time progresses, the weight of the rocket goes down, thereby decreasing the
drag force acting and thus acceleration increases steeply as time increases.
7. Velocity follows the same pattern as the acceleration.
8. Dynamic pressure initially increases and then attains a maxima of around 25720 Pa at
a time of around 60 sec. Although the velocity is continuously increasing, but effect
of density comes into picture at higher altitudes since exponential model is assumed
which makes the dynamic pressure come down.
Code: Both analytical and numerical codes are given below.
Numerical code:

% Numerical Code
clear all;
clc;
lomass=10000;
T=150000;
propmass=8000;

% Mass of Vehicle at lift off

% assumed Constant Thrust
% Mass of propellant Filled

Isp=250;
% Assumed Constant Specific Impulse
cd=0.5;
% Drag coefficient
S=2;
% Reference Area
tb=(propmass*9.81*Isp/T)
% burn out time
radius=6378;
% Radius of Earth
w(1)= lomass*9.81;
% Weight
y(1)=0;
% Vertical Height
x(1)=0;
% Horizontal Range
vx=0;
% Horizontal velocity
vy=0;
% Vertical velocity
v(1)=0;
drag(1)=0;
wdot=T/Isp;
i=1;
t(1)=0;
dt=0.01;
% part 1
while(t(i)<=10)
rho(i)=1.22*exp(-y(i)/(7.2*1000));
g=9.81*(radius/(radius+y(i)/1000))^2;
%
drag(i)=0.5*cd*S*rho(i)*v(i)*v(i);
drag(i)=0;
accy(i)=(T-drag(i))*g/w(i)- g;
accx(i)=0;
acc(i)=(accx(i)^2+accy(i)^2)^0.5;
vx(i+1)=vx(i)+accx(i)*dt;
vy(i+1)=vy(i)+accy(i)*dt;
v(i+1)=(vy(i+1)^2+vx(i+1)^2)^0.5;
x(i+1)=x(i)+vx(i+1)*dt;
y(i+1)=y(i)+vy(i+1)*dt;
w(i+1)=w(i)-wdot*dt;
t(i+1)=t(i)+dt;
i=i+1;
end
i=i-1;
gamma(1:i)=pi/2;
fprintf(' The Acceleration (m/s2)%f\t', acc(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Altitude%f (km)\t', y(end)/1000);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Dynamic pressure%f (Pa)\t', 0.5*rho(end)*v(end)^2);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Velocity %f(m/s)\t',v(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Time %f (s)\t', t(i));
fprintf('\n');
% part 1 over
% part 2 begins
cons_ang=90;
%initial value of alpha+gamma
counter=0;
i
t(i)
while (t(i)<=20)
rho(i)=1.22*exp(-y(i)/(7.2*1000));
g=9.81*(radius/(radius+y(i)/1000))^2;
%
drag(i)=0.5*cd*S*rho(i)*v(i)*v(i);

drag(i)=0;
accy(i)=((T-drag(i))*sind(cons_ang))*g/w(i)- g;
accx(i)=((T-drag(i))*cosd(cons_ang))*g/w(i);
acc(i)=(accx(i)^2+accy(i)^2)^0.5;
vx(i+1)=vx(i)+accx(i)*dt;
vy(i+1)=vy(i)+accy(i)*dt;
v(i+1)=(vy(i+1)^2+vx(i+1)^2)^0.5;
x(i+1)=x(i)+vx(i+1)*dt;
y(i+1)=y(i)+vy(i+1)*dt;
w(i+1)=w(i)-wdot*dt;
t(i+1)=t(i)+dt;
if counter==100
t(i);
cons_ang=cons_ang-1;
counter=0;
end
gamma(i)=(asin(vy(i)/v(i)));
i=i+1;
counter=counter+1;
end
cons_ang=cons_ang-1;
gamma(end)*(180/pi)
fprintf(' The Acceleration (m/s2)%f\t', acc(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Altitude%f (km)\t', y(end)/1000);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Dynamic pressure%f (Pa)\t', 0.5*rho(end)*v(end)^2);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Velocity %f(m/s)\t',v(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Time %f (s)\t', t(end));
fprintf('\n');
% part 2 ends
%
% part 3 starts
gamma(i)=gamma(end);
while(t(i)<=tb)
rho(i)=1.22*exp(-y(i)/(7.2*1000));
g=9.81*(radius/(radius+y(i)/1000))^2;
drag(i)=0.5*cd*S*rho(i)*v(i)*v(i);
dv_dt(i)=((T-drag(i))*g/w(i))-g*sin(gamma(i));
v(i+1)=v(i)+dt*dv_dt(i);
dgamma_dt(i)=-g*cos(gamma(i))/v(i);
gamma(i+1)=gamma(i)+dgamma_dt(i)*dt;
acc(i)=(dv_dt(i)^2+(v(i)*dgamma_dt(i))^2)^0.5;
vx(i+1)=v(i+1)*cos(gamma(i+1));
vy(i+1)=v(i+1)*sin(gamma(i+1));
vxavg=0.5*(vx(i)+vx(i+1));
vyavg=0.5*(vy(i+1)+vy(i));
y(i+1)=y(i)+dt*vyavg;
x(i+1)=x(i)+dt*vxavg;
w(i+1)=w(i)-wdot*dt;
t(i+1)=t(i)+dt;
i=i+1;
end

for j=1:13080
dynamic_pressure(j)=0.5*rho(j)*v(j)^2;
end
hold on
figure(1);plot(t,y/1000,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Altitude(km)');
title('Altitude vs Time');
grid on;
figure(2);plot(t,v,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Velocity(m/s)');
title('Velocity vs Time');
grid on;
%
figure(3);
plot(t,gamma*180/pi,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Flight Path Angle,\gamma(degrees)');
title('Flight Path Angle vs time
');
grid on;
figure(4);
plot(t(1:13080),dynamic_pressure,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Dynamic Pressure(Pascal)');
title('Dynamic Pressure vs Time');
grid on;
figure(5);
plot(t(1:13080),acc,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Acceleration (m/s^{2})');
title('Acceleration vs Time');
grid on;
figure(6);
plot(x/1000,y/1000,'black');
xlabel('Range(km)');
ylabel('Altitude(km)');
title('Trajectory of Rocket');
grid on;
fprintf(' The Acceleration (m/s2)%f\t', acc(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Altitude%f (km)\t', y(end)/1000);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Dynamic pressure%f (Pa)\t', 0.5*rho(end)*v(end)^2);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Velocity %f(m/s)\t',v(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Time %f (s)\t', t(end));
fprintf('\n');

Analytical Code:
% Analytical Code
clear all;
clc;
lomass=10000;
% liftoff mass
T=150000;
% Thrust
propmass=8000;
% propellant mass
Isp=250;
% Specific Impulse
cd=0.5;
% Drag coefficient
S=2;
% Ref Area
tb=(propmass*9.81*Isp/T)
% burn out time
radius=6378;
% Radius of Earth in km
w(1)= lomass*9.81;
% Liftoff weight
y(1)=0;
% Vertical distance
x(1)=0;
% Horizontal distance
vx=0;
% Horizontal velocity
vy=0;
% Vertical velocity
v(1)=0;
drag(1)=0;
wdot=T/Isp;
i=1;
t(1)=0;
dt=0.01;
% part 1
to=0;
while(t(i)<=10)
t(i+1)=to+dt;
rho(i)=1.22*exp(-y(i)/(7.2*1000));
g=9.81*(radius/(radius+y(i)/1000))^2;
drag(i)=0;
accy(i)=(T-drag(i))*g/w(i)-g;
accx(i)=0;
acc(i)=(accx(i)^2+accy(i)^2)^0.5;
deltavy=g*Isp*log((w(1)-wdot*to)/(w(1)-wdot*t(i+1)))-g*(t(i+1)-to);
deltavx=0;
vy(i+1)=vy(i)+deltavy;
vx(i+1)=vx(i)+deltavx;
v(i+1)=(vy(i+1)^2+vx(i+1)^2)^0.5;
deltay=g*Isp*(((t(i+1)-w(1)/wdot)*log(w(1)/(w(1)-wdot*t(i+1)))+t(i+1))-((tow(1)/wdot)*log(w(1)/(w(1)-wdot*to))+to))-g*(t(i+1)^2-to^2)/2;
deltax=0;
y(i+1)=y(i)+deltay;
x(i+1)=x(i)+deltax;
w(i+1)=w(i)-wdot*dt;
to=t(i+1);
i=i+1;
end
i=i-1;
gamma(1:i)=pi/2;
phi(1:i)=pi/2-gamma;
fprintf(' The Acceleration (m/s2)%f\t', acc(end));

fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The
fprintf('\n');
% part 1 over

Altitude%f (km)\t', y(end)/1000);

Dynamic pressure%f (Pa)\t', 0.5*rho(end)*v(end)^2);
Velocity %f(m/s)\t',v(end));
Time

%f (s)\t', t(i));

% part 2 begins
cons_ang=90;
%initial value of alpha+gamma
counter=0;
i;
to=t(i);
while (t(i)<=20)
t(i+1)=to+dt;
rho(i)=1.22*exp(-y(i)/(7.2*1000));
g=9.81*(radius/(radius+y(i)/1000))^2;
drag(i)=0;
accy(i)=((T-drag(i))*sind(cons_ang))*g/w(i)-g;
accx(i)=((T-drag(i))*cosd(cons_ang))*g/w(i);
acc(i)=(accx(i)^2+accy(i)^2)^0.5;
deltavy=g*Isp*log((w(1)-wdot*to)/(w(1)-wdot*t(i+1)))*sind(cons_ang)-g*(t(i+1)-to);
deltavx=g*Isp*log((w(1)-wdot*to)/(w(1)-wdot*t(i+1)))*cosd(cons_ang);
vy(i+1)=vy(i)+deltavy;
vx(i+1)=vx(i)+deltavx;
v(i+1)=(vy(i+1)^2+vx(i+1)^2)^0.5;
deltay=g*Isp*(((t(i+1)-w(1)/wdot)*log(w(1)/(w(1)-wdot*t(i+1)))+t(i+1))-((tow(1)/wdot)*log(w(1)/(w(1)-wdot*to))+to))*sind(cons_ang)-g*(t(i+1)^2-to^2)/2;
deltax=g*Isp*(((t(i+1)-w(1)/wdot)*log(w(1)/(w(1)-wdot*t(i+1)))+t(i+1))-((tow(1)/wdot)*log(w(1)/(w(1)-wdot*to))+to))*cosd(cons_ang);
y(i+1)=y(i)+deltay;
x(i+1)=x(i)+deltax;
w(i+1)=w(i)-wdot*dt;
to=t(i+1);
if counter==100
t(i);
cons_ang=cons_ang-1;
counter=0;
end
gamma(i)=(asin(vy(i)/v(i)));
phi(i)=pi/2-gamma(i);
i=i+1;
counter=counter+1;
end
cons_ang=cons_ang-1;
fprintf(' The Acceleration (m/s2)%f\t', acc(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Altitude%f (km)\t', y(end)/1000);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Dynamic pressure%f (Pa)\t', 0.5*rho(end)*v(end)^2);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Velocity %f(m/s)\t',v(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Time %f (s)\t', t(end));

fprintf('\n');
% part 2 ends
%
% part 3 starts
gamma(i)=gamma(end);
phi(i)=pi/2-gamma(i);
% gamma(i)=89.5*(pi/180);
dphi=(0.01)*(pi/180);
while(t(i)<=tb)
rho(i)=1.22*exp(-y(i)/(7.2*1000));
g=9.81*(radius/(radius+y(i)/1000))^2;
drag(i)=0.5*cd*S*rho(i)*v(i)*v(i);
dv_dt(i)=((T-drag(i))*g/w(i))-g*cos(phi(i));
dgamma_dt(i)=g*sin(phi(i))/v(i);
acc(i)=(dv_dt(i)^2+(v(i)*dgamma_dt(i))^2)^0.5;
k_ass=(T-drag(i))/w(i);
%assumed k for delt time
phi(i+1)=phi(i)+dphi;
gamma(i+1)=(pi/2)-phi(i+1);
so=tan(phi(i)/2);
s1=tan(phi(i+1)/2);
c=v(i)/((so^(k_ass-1))*(1+so^2));
v(i+1)=c*s1^(k_ass-1)*(1+s1^2);
delt=(c/g)*(s1^(k_ass-1)/(k_ass-1)+s1^(k_ass+1)/(k_ass+1))-(c/g)*(so^(k_ass-1)/(k_ass1)+so^(k_ass+1)/(k_ass+1));
t(i+1)=t(i)+delt;
vx(i+1)=v(i+1)*sin(phi(i+1));
vy(i+1)=v(i+1)*cos(phi(i+1));
vxavg=0.5*(vx(i)+vx(i+1));
vyavg=0.5*(vy(i+1)+vy(i));
y(i+1)=y(i)+delt*vyavg;
x(i+1)=x(i)+delt*vxavg;
w(i+1)=w(i)-wdot*delt;
i=i+1;
end
for j=1:7321
dynamic_pressure(j)=0.5*rho(j)*v(j)^2;
end
hold on
figure(1);plot(t,y/1000,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Altitude(km)');
title('Altitude vs Time');
grid on;
figure(2);plot(t,v,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Velocity(m/s)');
title('Velocity vs Time');
grid on;
figure(3);
plot(t,gamma*180/pi,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Flight Path Angle,\gamma(degrees)');
title('Flight Path Angle vs time
');
grid on;

figure(4);
plot(t(1:7321),dynamic_pressure,'black');
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Dynamic Pressure(Pascal)');
title('Dynamic Pressure vs Time');
grid on;
figure(5);
plot(t(1:7321),acc);
xlabel('Time(s)');
ylabel('Acceleration (m/s^{2})');
title('Acceleration vs Time');
grid on;
figure(6);
plot(x/1000,y/1000);
xlabel('Range(km)');
ylabel('Altitude(km)');
title('Trajectory of Rocket');
grid on;
fprintf(' The Acceleration (m/s2)%f\t', acc(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Altitude%f (km)\t', y(end)/1000);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Dynamic pressure%f (Pa)\t', 0.5*rho(end)*v(end)^2);
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Velocity %f(m/s)\t',v(end));
fprintf('\n');
fprintf(' The Time %f (s)\t', t(end));
fprintf('\n');