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The task of optimizing trans-atmospheric motion of a flight vehicle in order to maximize its final velocity with prescribed finite values of the height and flight path angle is considered. The angle of attack acts as control in passive motion of a vehicle. Previously, the sequential linearization method was used to solve this optimization task. It is shown that at great altitudes the control programs are slightly different depending on the chosen initial approximation. Therefore, the aim of this work is to determine the optimum control program on the basis of a strict solution of the optimization task using the Pontryagins maximum principle. Solving the problem of optimizing trans-atmospheric motion of a flight vehicle is illustrated by passive climb of the sub-hypersonic vehicle MPV (the first stage of the aerospace system RASCAL designed in the USA). The coefficient of lift (angle of attack) increases in the greater part of the trajectory to provide the prescribed finite values of height and path inclination and then decreases to provide maximum final velocity. The correctness of the obtained solutions of the optimization task using the maximum principle is confirmed by the zero Hamiltonian value in the optimum trajectory. The results of vehicle motion simulation with optimal control and various initial conditions of motion and the vehicle mass are discussed. The results obtained show that the solutions of the optimization task under consideration using the maximum principle and the sequential linearization principle are in close agreement.

The task of optimizing the space vehicle combined orbital plane change maneuver with the aim of maximizing its final mass is considered in the paper. Burst of power is used for the vehicle’s exit from the initial low earth orbit and subsequent re-entry. Starting from atmospheric entry till the end of the orbital plane change with the entry in the final orbit the angle of attack, the air-path bank angle and the fuel-flow rate are used as controls. Limitations for the angle of attack, fuel-flow rate, adiabatic recovery temperature, longitudinal and vertical load factor are introduced. The successive linearization method is used to determine the optimal control programs. Solving the optimization task is exemplified by a hypothetical space vehicle. The results of modeling space vehicle motion are presented. The changes in the determined “aerodynamic” (angle of attack and air-path bank angle) and “motion” (fuel-flow rate) controls with increasing the angle of orbital plane change are discussed with and without account of the key limitation on the modes of motion – maximum adiabatic recovery heating temperature.