Computational Error Estimation and Adaptive Error Control for a Finite Element Solution of Launch Vehicle Trajectory Problems

Abstract
In this paper, we consider a discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for first order initial-final value problems arising from optimal control of launch vehicles. In particular, we derive an a posteriori error estimate for this method that is subsequently implemented to provide a computational error estimate used for adaptive error control. We discuss several practical issues in the implementation of the computational error estimate as well. We test the theory on a real-life trajectory problem and find that the estimates are reliable and accurate while the adaptive error control leads to a significant gain in efficiency.

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: