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Focusing on the modelling of space vehicle control mechanisms, we provide innovative and multidisciplinary engineering solutions for guidance, navigation, and orbital maneuvering systems. The ultimate goal of our research is aimed at enhancing survivabililty, safety, and performance of aerospace vehicles.
Research Avenues
- Trajectory Assignment -- Open loop steering commands to maintain programmed flight profile.
- Vehicle Stability Through Autonomous Flight Guidance -- Automatic response to flight guidance commands with minimal trajectory deviation and angle of attack.
- Minimization of Aerodynamic Loading -- Lateral acceleration feedback looping to prevent trajectory deviations based on mass, aerodynamics, propellant slosh, and elastic deflections.
- Exoatmospheric Flight Characteristics -- Closed loop algorithms for trajectory optimizations using multi-stage thrusting and vector analysis.
Control algorithms are logic programs that receive data from vehicle sensors and apply appropriate guidance commands
to effect the vehicle to the desired attitude. Attitude control algorithms nullify Tait-Bryan rotations in order to
maintain nominal vehicle attitude.