Modeling Rocket Flight in the Low-Friction Approximation

by Logan White

Submitted : Fall 2014

In a realistic model for rocket dynamics that includes atmospheric drag and altitude-dependent gravity, the kinematic equations cannot be expressed in an elementary way. Even when neglecting friction, the governing system involves a combination of elliptic equation of the Jacobi type, which are not convenient for computational purposes. This project provides a computationally efficient flight trajectory for a rocket performing a gravity turn, accounting for gravity, drag, and exhaust-momentum, and compares the differences between the assumptions of constant versus varying gravity.

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