On the Application of Particle Swarm Optimization in Minimum Time Launch Vehicle Trajectory Optimization Problem

The application of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), in solving minimum time trajectory optimization problem, studied in this paper. The ascent phase of a launch vehicle trajectory is considered, due to its highly nonlinear nature. It is one of the challenging problems in optimization scenario. Achieving the target in minimum time and error, satisfying all the constraints is the major objective. A highly nonlinear complex system, launch vehicle, is considered with the control parameter as its angle of attack. It is proved that, PSO approach outperforms other such type of optimization, procedures in trajectory optimization scenario, by providing better accuracy. The numerical results are evaluated, analyzed and presented in a MATLAB simulation environment.