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@lamont-granquist lamont-granquist commented Sep 20, 2025

Replaces PVG (indirect method solver) with PDG (direct method with sparse SQP solver).

  • This is mostly just feature compatible with PVG, no new features.
  • It may fix bugs, particularly around coasting.
  • A feature to implement very soon is min coast times--which will fix any lingering "PVG instantly finishes on the pad (because of a negative coast)" bugs.
  • At the same time, can support max coast times to stop rockets burning up with overly long coasts.
  • Coast-within-stage (in addition to before-stage and after-stage) should also be pretty easy.
  • Only major problem right now is that it is slow to converge on the pad.
  • It isn't quite as good with finding solutions to badly posed problems (e.g. burning a rocket down to the last 12 kg).
  • Successive convexification (SCP) and switching to the alglib sparse SOCP solver should fix the slow solver issue.
  • Can be expanded to add (even with SCP):
    • backpressure
    • drag
    • max heat flux
    • pitchover optimization
  • The thrust pointing constraint of landing guidance could probably added for ascent from airless planets and not smacking into the terrain.

The last version with PVG is here: https://ksp.sarbian.com/jenkins/job/MechJeb2-Dev/1473/

Signed-off-by: Lamont Granquist <[email protected]>
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