Research
Dynamics and Control
Faculty
- Robert G. Melton
- David Spencer
- Joseph Horn
Activities
Activities in the area of Dynamics and Control are focused primarily on the natural and forced dynamics and the control of aerospace vehicles, and include research in the following areas:
- Distributed Trajectory Optimization Engineering
- Optimal And Near-Optimal Low-Thrust Transfers
- Orbit Determination During Optimal Maneuvering of Formation-Flying Satellite Constellations
- Optimal Rendezvous Using Genetic Algorithms
- Optimization of Spacecraft Formation Reconfiguration
- The Very Long-Term Orbital Stability of Planets in Binary Star Systems
- Uncertainty Assessment for the Breakup of Satellites Due To Hypervelocity Impacts
- Satellite Retrieval
- Solar Sail Models
- Development of a Collision Risk Assessment Tool
- Coupled Three Body Systems for Planetary Exploration
- Continuation and Interpolation Between Restricted Three-Body Models
- Utilization of Phobos and Deimos for Precision Navigation in Future Mars Missions
- Atmosphere Modeling for High Precision Orbit Determination
- Penn State Student Run Rocket Project
- Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control Laboratory
Specializations
- Astrodynamics
- Spacecraft Dynamics and Controls
- Trajectory Optimization
- Orbital Debris Dynamics and Collision Risk Mitigation
- Precision Orbit Determination
- Advanced Space Mission Planning and Analysis
- High-Powered Rocketry