Optimization of reentry trajectories interaction with dynamic routing in a global air traffic system

• Applicants: Dr.-Ing. Thomas Feuerle; Dr.-Ing. Carsten Wiedemann, since 1/2021
• Subject Area: Traffic and Transport Systems, Intelligent and Automated Traffic
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441090785

In the near future, novel spacecraft systems will extend the possibilities of human transportation into space. Due to technological advancements and privatization of spaceflight, the number of spaceflights and also available spaceports has already increased in the last years. Moreover, a further increase of launches is expected. In addition, suborbital point-to-point flights to connect intercontinental destinations are also investigated in the field of passenger transport. An important factor is the consideration of interactions with regular air traffic. The suborbital and orbital space traffic has to be integrated efficiently and safely. Space tourism is a further topic underinvestigation. In this project we will focus on the integration of spacecraft, that are frequently used on a routine basis for passenger transport and that reenter from Earth orbit or suborbital flights, in a global air traffic management system. Therefore, different constraints and uncertainties along the reentry trajectory will be analyzed with respect to their impact on the predicted entry zone or volume of the atmosphere. This volume has to be closed for any air traffic movement to prevent collisions between spacecraft and aircraft.Furthermore it will be analyzed in the project how aircraft can effectively be dynamically rerouted (even with a short time horizon) to react on the unpredictability of the exact location of the spacecraft reentry. This unpredictability is partially composed by the completely different performance parameters of spacecraft and aircraft but also given by the fact that spacecraft have to circumnavigate space debris on their way back towards the atmosphere. Fast moving objects with different performance characteristics are also well known in the emerging area of drone flying activities. The project will therefore analyze different approaches to trajectory optimization inheterogeneous traffic environments and will develop an approach tooptimize reentry spacecraft trajectories with dynamic aircraft routing ina global air traffic system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Privatdozent Dr.-Ing. Ulf Bestmann
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr.-Ing. Enrico Stoll, until 1/2021