Model Predictive Control for Gliding Descent on Mars

This paper proposes a closed-loop nonlinear model predictive control for the first time for the trajectory tracking of a spaceplane descending and gliding on Mars. Previous studies presented the optimization of descending trajectory solving optimal control problems to reach a specific region (longitude, latitude, and altitude) by the end of the atmospheric flight. Following those approaches, in this work, an optimal trajectory was selected for a semi-optimal controller, specifically the nonlinear model predictive control. This controller and its robustness were validated through Monte Carlo simulations, demonstrating that it is robust enough to direct the spaceplane along the reference path, even when the atmospheric density changes by 15% of the standard deviation.