Rapid trajectory optimization for multiple entry vehicles based on decoupled sequential convex programming

Abstract This paper proposes a decoupled sequential convex programming (SCP) method for the time-coordinated trajectory optimization of multiple hypersonic entry vehicles (HEVs). The proposed method introduces the reference trajectory to decouple the collision avoidance constraints, allowing for independent optimization of each vehicle while maintaining overall system safety. Additionally, a lower bound on time coordination is employed to ensure that the vehicles reach their destinations simultaneously. These approaches break down the complex multi-vehicle optimization problem into simpler subproblems, thereby effectively reducing both the number of variables and the associated constraints. Numerical simulations confirm the reliability and convergence of the proposed method, demonstrating significant improvement in computational efficiency.