January 6, 2017
Renato Zanetti has been elected fellow of the American Astronautical Society (AAS) for outstanding contributions to astronautics. Fellowship is conferred in recognition of AAS members who have made “significant scientific, engineering, academic and/or management contributions to astronautics and space.” The number of AAS fellows elected per year is limited to within one percent of the total membership and is typically around four to six members.
Zanetti specializes in estimation of complex dynamical systems and autonomous onboard navigation. His current research includes on-board image processing and optical navigation, non-linear estimation of non-Gaussian/non-linear systems, sensor fault detection and utilization strategy, and autonomous spacecraft GN&C.
Prior to joining the Cockrell School of Engineering faculty in 2017, Zanetti worked at the C.S. Draper Laboratory and the NASA Johnson Space Center where he contributed to the successful design and flight of numerous autonomous space navigation systems.
Zanetti worked on Orion EFT-1 GN&C system that successfully completed a flight in December 2014 and received the 2015 NASA software of the year award. He also received a NASA Technical Excellence Award (2012), several NASA Group achievement awards and two NASA On The Spot Awards.
