RCAIDE.Library.Mission.Segments.Descent.Constant_Speed_Constant_Angle.initialize_conditions#

initialize_conditions(segment)[source]#

Initializes conditions for constant speed descent at fixed angle

Parameters:

segment (Segment) –

The mission segment being analyzed
  • descent_anglefloat

    Fixed descent angle [rad]

  • air_speedfloat

    True airspeed to maintain [m/s]

  • altitude_startfloat

    Initial altitude [m]

  • altitude_endfloat

    Final altitude [m]

  • sideslip_anglefloat

    Aircraft sideslip angle [rad]

  • state:
    numerics.dimensionless.control_pointsarray

    Discretization points [-]

    conditionsData

    State conditions container

Return type:

None

Notes

This function sets up the initial conditions for a descent segment with constant true airspeed and constant descent angle. The vertical speed is determined by the descent angle. Updates segment conditions directly with velocity_vector [m/s], altitude [m], and position_vector [m].

Calculation Process
  1. Discretize altitude profile

  2. Decompose velocity into components using:
    • Fixed descent angle

    • Sideslip angle

    • Constant true airspeed

  3. Components calculated as:
    • v_x = V * cos(β) * cos(-γ)

    • v_y = V * sin(β) * cos(-γ)

    • v_z = -V * sin(-γ)

    where:
    • V is true airspeed

    • β is sideslip angle

    • γ is descent angle

Major Assumptions
  • Constant true airspeed

  • Fixed descent angle

  • Small angle approximations

  • Quasi-steady flight

  • No wind effects