Physics-Based Digital Twin Simulation for Control System Development in Dynamic Flight and Motion Applications: Demonstrated on a Reusable Launch Vehicle

Williams, Rory and Al Seyab, Rihab ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6384-193X (2026) Physics-Based Digital Twin Simulation for Control System Development in Dynamic Flight and Motion Applications: Demonstrated on a Reusable Launch Vehicle. In: 2nd International Conference on Aeronautical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 3-6th November 2025, Muscat, Oman. ISSN 2195-4364 ISBN 9789819564446

Text (Peer-reviewed version) 15319 Williams, R et al. (2025) Physics-Based Digital Twin Simulation for Control System Development in Dunamic Flight and Motion Applications.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 2 June 2027. Available under License Publisher's Licence Non-Commercial Use. Download (1MB)

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for validating MathWorks Simscape as a high-fidelity digital twin for aerospace control system development. A physics-based model of a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) is built with nonlinear effects such as variable mass, actuator limits, and environmental disturb-ances. Using a classical Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller as a transparent benchmark, the study focuses on assessing physical fidelity rather than introducing new control methods. Validation compares simulated and expected dy-namics, including disturbance rejection, mass-depletion ef-fects, and coupled six-degree-of-freedom responses. Results show Simscape matches the benchmark within 5–8% across the flight envelope, confirming its suitability for advanced Model-Based Design and potential Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) workflows. The PID-based framework provides a scala-ble, cost-effective alternative to hardware-based verification

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Article Type:	Book Review
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Digital Twin; PID; Simscape; Reusable Launch Vehicle; Control
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Rihab Al Seyab
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2025 19:25
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2026 13:30
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15319

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