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.

Faculty:

Maruthi Akella:

• Nonlinear Adaptive Control
• Dynamical Systems Theory
• Estimation and System Identification

Robert Bishop:

• Spacecraft Navigation
• Attitude Dynamics and Control
• Aircraft Tracking and Flight Path Estimation

David Hull:

• Second Variation Conditions for Optimal Control Problems
• Numerical Methods for Optimization
• Improved Optimal Guidance by Error Compensation

Belinda Marchand

• Applications of Dynamical Systems Theory in Aerospace Engineering
• Libration Point Mission Design
• Nonlinear Methods for Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization
• Design and Autonomous Control of Multi-Spacecraft Formations
• Relative Navigation and Guidance for Applications to Formation Flight
• Orbit Mechanics
• Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control
• Flexible Spacecraft Dynamics
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