Investigation of Atmospheric Reentry for the Space Maneuver Vehicle : Biblioscholar : 9781288326648 : 1288326645 : 01 Nov 2012 : This study investigated the atmospheric reentry of the Space Maneuver Vehicle from low-earth orbit using an entry guidance concept similar to the Space Shuttle. The Space Maneuver Vehicle was modeled as a point mass with aerodynamic properties as determined using Newtonian impact theory. For the rarefied-flow transition regime bridging formulae are used to capture the effects of both hypersonic continuum flow and free molecular flow. Constraints to the reentry are developed and a reentry corridor is defined in the drag-velocity plane. Bank angle modulation is established as the primary means for controlling drag and range. The guidance concept is applied to both a high inclination orbit and a low inclination orbit with crossrange requirement. Monte Carlo error analysis validates the ability of the control algorithm to guide reentry in the presence of initial