%0 Journal Article %A Kharitonov, Alexey M. %D 1999 %I Begell House %K Optimal control; Mayer problem; propellant consumption %N 1-3 %P 18-25 %R 10.1615/JAutomatInfScien.v31.i1-3.420 %T Optimal Control of Consumption of Propellant Components in the Case of Emergency %U https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/2b6239406278e43e,45d623a0331f90c5,3a53e97857f39e4d.html %V 31 %X The problem of optimal control of a spacecraft with a liquid-propellant rocket engine is considered for the case of an accident due to a partial loss of propellant. Under these conditions, a programmed maneuver can be carried out only after a partial release of payload. The Mayer-type variational problem of payload release minimization is formulated and solved assuming that the engine is controlled at the cost of independent change of consumption of the fuel and oxidizer. It is shown that advantages of optimal control over conventional control with constant relation between components are rather essential. %8 1999-01-04