RCAIDE.Library.Mission.Segments.Vertical_Flight.Descent.initialize_conditions#
- initialize_conditions(segment)[source]#
Initializes conditions for vertical descent segment
- Parameters:
segment (Segment) –
- The mission segment being analyzed
- altitude_startfloat
Initial altitude [m]
- altitude_endfloat
Final altitude [m]
- descent_ratefloat
Vertical descent rate [m/s]
- state:
- numerics:
- dimensionless:
- control_pointsarray
Discretization points [-]
- conditions:
- frames:
- inertial:
- timearray
Time points [s]
- initialsData, optional
Initial conditions from previous segment
- Returns:
- Updates segment conditions directly:
conditions.frames.inertial.velocity_vector [m/s]
conditions.frames.inertial.position_vector [m]
conditions.freestream.altitude [m]
conditions.frames.inertial.time [s]
- Return type:
None
Notes
This function sets up the initial conditions for a vertical descent segment with constant descent rate. The segment handles pure vertical motion with no horizontal velocity components.
- Calculation Process
Check initial conditions
- Discretize altitude profile:
alt = alt0 + (altf - alt0)*t_norm
- Calculate time required:
dt = (alt0 - altf)/descent_rate
- Set velocity components:
v_x = 0
v_z = descent_rate (z points down)
- Scale time points:
t = t_norm * dt
- Major Assumptions
Constant descent rate
Pure vertical motion
No horizontal velocity
No atmospheric variations
Quasi-steady descent
See also