An effective method for redundancy configuration of RCS (reaction control system)

Current redundancy configuration methods of RLV (reusable launch vehicle) were all restrainedly qualitative analysis that relied on experience and trial-and-error. We, aiming at a straight forward solution, proposed a redundancy configuration method, believed to be effective and based on multi-constraint factor quantification and multi-objective optimization, to enhance RCS efficiency. The various factors correlated with RCS configuration were quantified in the normalization way according to their physical principles in this method, including installation location, direction, quantity and system performance, and integrated into a quantitative assessment of the indicator function. Quantitative mathematical optimal method was used to convert the configuration issue into an ordinary nonlinear programming problem. On the basis of the work above, a configuration case with the redundancy degree of 2 was designed to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the method, and to indicate that this configuration method can be used for quantification optimization in the design process.