Ethan Burnett

Education: 

Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder

Research Interests:

• Nonlinear systems

• Optimization and optimal control

• Computation and numerical methods

• Spacecraft guidance, control, and astrodynamics

• Planetary dynamics and space science

Ethan R. Burnett received his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021. His dissertation work focused on spacecraft rendezvous and formation flying, supervised by Hanspeter Schaub, and funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research via the NDSEG Fellowship. He was also planetary science affiliate at the CU Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Research (LASP), where he led studies of the dynamics of the global ice shell of Jupiter’s moon Europa.

After defending his Ph.D., Burnett worked in Blue Origin’s Advanced Development Programs (later Space Systems Development & Lunar Transportation) on optimal rendezvous guidance for the next generation of space vehicles until 2023. From 2023 to 2025 he worked at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, hosted by the Deep-space Astrodynamics Research and Technology (DART) Group with EU funding via the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship. There he developed new techniques for fast and reliable onboard spacecraft guidance, advised student spaceflight and astrodynamics research, and had further research interfacing with the ERC-funded TRACES project for high-fidelity simulation of rubble pile asteroid dynamics.

Burnett’s research interests are in nonlinear dynamics and optimization, and their applications in spaceflight (including satellite servicing and sustained in-space architectures) and space science missions. In space science, he is particularly interested in the dynamical and geological evolution of moons and asteroids. 

Related Websites

• Dr. Burnett's Research Website