Control system design of a multivectored thrust stratospheric airship

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Control system design of a multivectored thrust stratospheric airship

Chen, L. / Zhang, H. / Duan, D.P.

Given their hovering ability, static lift airships, such as airships and balloons, are proposed as stratospheric platforms flying at a high altitude of 20 km. The shape of the envelope has a major influence on the lift and drag efficiency of an airship. Furthermore, the efficiency of a conventional actuator, such as an aerodynamic control surface for stratospheric platforms, is decreased by the low-atmospheric density and flight speed. Thus, a new type of effector configuration must be proposed. A new multivectored thrust airship called flat peach is proposed in this paper. The name is attributed to the shape of the airship, which resembles a flat peach that is a cross between a ball and a water droplet. Thus, this airship has a smaller drag coefficient than the spherical airship and higher lift efficiency than a conventional airship. A control allocation strategy among the multivectored thrusters is proposed, and a composite control structure is designed for the airship to realize accurate position control and to decrease energy consumption.