Today I'm trying to optimize a launch trajectory (aka Gravity Turn). I build a somewhat realistic simulation of a rocket launch they try out thousands of possible gravity turns, may the best turn win!
Unfortunately, this ended up being more complicated than I expected, you have to consider aerodynamics at supersonic speeds and different angles of attack, the curvature of the earth, the changing mass of the rocket during burns and staging, and, of course, you need a turning strategy to optimize. While I didn't do a great job, I almost got the Saturn 1B to orbit which I consider an absolute win!
Scott Manley's Q&A video:
• Deep Space Questions Episode 6 Radi...
Outro Music: "Blast" from Bensound.com