Guidance and Control

flight simulator cockpit
This area involves study and research in system theory, control theory, optimal control theory, approximation theory, time-delay observers, estimation theory, and stochastic control theory and their application to the navigation, guidance, control, and flight mechanics of aerospace vehicles.

Research is primarily analytical and numerical in nature. Excellent computational and experimental facilities are available for study of various guidance and control applications.

Area Faculty

Area Advisor: Hull, David

Acikmese, Behcet
Akella, Maruthi
Bakolas, Efstathios
Hull, David

Research Spotlight: Maruthi Akella

Dr. Akella Guides Advances in Sensor Swarms Toward Cutting-Edge Guidance and Control Systems

Dr. Maruthi Akella directs his research focus on two big projects: one which provides NASA with a cheaper, faster, efficient alternative to the high-grade tactical navigation sensors they currently use on their vehicles, and another which looks into autonomy, responsiveness, and hazard avoidance for vehicles in orbit or in space.