Guidance and control
Rocket Lab is building on its knowledge and experience by collaborating with the Department of Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Canterbury to develop novel supersonic control systems. The project aims to develop a low-cost, highly flexible control module for controlling a range of rockets of different sizes and payloads at supersonic speeds and high altitudes. There are many parameters and highly complex dynamics involved as launch vehicles pass through the sound barrier, and any control system developed must utilize all previous knowledge of this environement, as well as having the capability to react to new dynamics that have not been previously seen in flight. This novel approach to control systems design is focussed on using innovative model-based control systems for real-time adaptive rocket control. |
Rocket Lab develops miniature guidance and control systems for the use on space and defense platforms. These systems use a fusion of sensor data including inertial, GPS and magnetic to provide high accuracy control.