RCAIDE.Library.Mission.Segments.Descent.Constant_Speed_Constant_Rate.initialize_conditions

initialize_conditions(segment)

Initializes conditions for constant speed descent at fixed rate

Parameters:

segment (Segment) –

The mission segment being analyzed

• descent_ratefloat

  Rate of descent [m/s]

• 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 rate. The horizontal velocity components are determined from the airspeed and descent rate constraints. Updates segment conditions directly with velocity_vector [m/s], altitude [m], and position_vector [m].

Calculation Process

1. Discretize altitude profile

2. Calculate horizontal velocity magnitude: v_xy = sqrt(V^2 - v_z^2) where:

• V is true airspeed

• v_z is descent rate

3. Decompose horizontal velocity using sideslip angle:

   • v_x = v_xy * cos(β)

   • v_y = v_xy * sin(β)

   where β is sideslip angle

Major Assumptions

• Constant true airspeed

• Constant descent rate

• Small angle approximations

• Quasi-steady flight

• No wind effects

See also

RCAIDE.Framework.Mission.Segments