CEAS EuroGNC 2026
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Application of Gauss Pseudospectral Method to Interceptor Trajectory Design
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| Javier García Artieda |
GNC Engineer, GMV SED, Madrid, Spain. | | Miguel González Frías |
Senior GNC Engineer, GMV SED, Madrid, Spain. | | Álvaro González López |
GNC Engineer, GMV SED, Madrid, Spain. | | Andrés Tasende Caamaño |
GNC Engineer, GMV SED, Madrid, Spain. |
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| Abstract:
Modern aerial threats are characterized by increasing speed, range, and manoeuvrability, presenting significant challenges for defence systems, particularly at high altitudes where low atmospheric density limits interceptor control authority. This paper addresses the interceptor trajectory design problem by formulating it as a non-linear optimal control problem solved via the Gauss Pseudospectral Method (GPM). The proposed framework utilizes a three-degree-of-freedom dynamic model. It incorporates phase-dependent aerodynamic, propulsion, and control constraints to ensure mission realism. Various configurations are investigated: single and multi-stage interceptors, the last ones equipped with double and triple-pulse propulsion systems. Numerical results demonstrate that the GPM-based approach generates feasible trajectories following an optimized ascent-descent-ascent profile. This maximizes manoeuvrability by leveraging denser atmospheric layers while complying with all constraints. A comparative analysis reveals that while triple-pulse configurations enhance high-altitude control and interception flexibility, they feature a total range reduction due to increased structural mass and lower propellant fractions. These findings confirm that GPM-based optimization is a reliable tool for planning complex interception missions. The framework shows promise for generating reference trajectories to be followed by real-time on-board guidance, improving defensive capabilities against emerging high-performance threats.
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| Keywords: Interceptor Trajectory; High-Altitude Interception; Gauss Pseudospectral Method; Missile Path-Planning |
 View PDF CEAS-GNC-2026-039 doi: 10.82124/CEAS-GNC-2026-039 |
| Javier García Artieda, Miguel González Frías, Álvaro González López, Andrés Tasende Caamaño: Application of Gauss Pseudospectral Method to Interceptor Trajectory Design. Proceedings of the 2026 CEAS EuroGNC conference. Madrid, Spain. May 2026. doi: 10.82124/CEAS-GNC-2026-039.
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| BibTeX entry (UTF-8):
@Incollection{CEAS-GNC-2026-039,
author = {García Artieda, Javier and González Frías, Miguel and González López, Álvaro and Tasende Caamaño, Andrés},
title = {Application of Gauss Pseudospectral Method to Interceptor Trajectory Design},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2026 {CEAS EuroGNC} conference},
address = {Madrid, Spain},
month = may,
year = {2026},
doi = {10.82124/CEAS-GNC-2026-039}
}
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