Space Shuttle Orbiter Guidance and Control System Design

An overview of the current space shuttle orbiter baseline guidance and control system is presented. The vehicle configuration, emphasizing the variety of control effectors utilized throughout the sequence of mission phases (wherein the vehicle functions successively as a rocket, spacecraft, entry vehicle, and airplane) is outlined, and the guidance and control techniques employed in the various phases and modes are presented. Finally, the manner in which the redundant, fly-by-wire guidance and control system is mechanized-utilizing a digital processing system-to meet stringent weight and reliability requirements is described.