Morpheus Lander Roll Control System and Wind Modeling

Abstract

The Morpheus prototype lander is a vertical testbed developed by NASA Johnson Space Center to assess advanced technologies. Between December 2013 and May 2014, Morpheus completed a series of flight tests at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to demonstrate autonomous landing and hazard avoidance for future exploration missions. The vehicle is fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid methane, a clean and non-toxic propellant. As a prototype vehicle being tested in Earth's atmosphere, Morpheus requires a robust roll control system (RCS) to counteract aerodynamic forces. This paper describes the control algorithm designed that requests firing and delay times based on roll orientation. Design, analysis, and testing are supported using a high-fidelity simulation of vehicle dynamics. This paper also details the wind profiles generated using historical wind data, which are necessary to validate the RCS in the simulation environment. In preparation for Morpheus testing, the wind model was expanded to create day-of-flight (DOF) wind profiles based on data delivered by the KSC meteorology group.The Morpheus RCS consists of four thrusters fueled by the main engine propulsion tanks. Two thrusters in both the positive and negative roll direction maintain vehicle pointing during flight. The thrusters are oriented on the vehicle as shown in Figure 1. +Roll +Roll -Roll -Roll

Guiding Lunar Landers: Harnessing Neural Networks for Dynamic Flight Control with Adaptive Inertia and Mass Characteristics

“…The race to establish a presence on the lunar surface has grown in recent years, with both commercial companies and national agencies competing [1][2][3][4]. However, this pursuit has been fraught with setbacks and challenges, as evidenced by the numerous failed attempts that have characterized recent endeavors in lunar exploration [5].…”