Development of Steering Law for Thrust Vector Control Using Clustered Thrusters

Space launch vehicles often require large thrust engines depending on their mission. However, as the size of the engine increases, combustion instability problems may become severer and the reverse-thrust control, which is one of the key re-landing technologies required for the development of reusable rockets, becomes more difficult. Therefore, use of clustered low thrust engines in Fig. 17.1 has advantages compared to a single large thrust engine. In addition, use of the clustered engines makes it possible to control the yawing of the rocket, which is the spin motion about the longitudinal axis.