Doctoral Program
Taewook Lee
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Dissertation Title: Data Driven Modeling and State Estimation of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
Master Thesis: Sparse Approximation based Maximum Likelihood Approach for Radiological Source Terms Identification
Topics of Interest: Dynamic sensing and information fusion, Data driven Modeling, Computational Approaches for Uncertainty Propagation through Nonlinear Dynamic Systems, Sparse Approximation, Nonlinear Filtering
Expected Graduation: May 2018
Davide Conte
Advisor: David Spencer
Dissertation Title: Semi-analytical Solutions for Proximity Operations in the Three-Body Problem
Master’s Thesis Title: Determination of Optimal Earth-Mars Trajectories to Target the Moons of Mars
Topics of Interest: Proximity operations in the three-body problem, space mission design for robotic and crewed missions, space systems engineering, trajectory optimization for Earth-Moon and interplanetary missions, and Kerbal Space Program
Expected Graduation: May 2019
Andrew Goodyear
Advisor: David Spencer
Dissertation Title: TBD
Master’s Thesis Title: Optimal Low-Thrust Geostationary Transfer Orbit Using a Hybrid Pseudospectral Collocation Method
Topics of Interest: Low-thrust trajectory optimization, autonomous obstacle avoidance and rendezvous, satellite control and guidance systems, N-body dynamics
Expected Graduation: May 2019
Ghanghoon Paik
Advisor: Robert Melton
Dissertation Title: TBD
Master’s Thesis Title: Optimal Orbit Raising via Particle Swarm Optimization
Topics of Interest: Trajectory optimization, spacecraft dynamics and control, satellite attitude control
Expected Graduation: May 2019
Guanwei He
Advisor: Robert Melton
Dissertation Title: The Application of a Hybrid Control Approach in a Low-Cost Active Space Debris Removal Mission Design (a working title)
Topics of Interest: Trajectory optimization for cis-lunar space, continuous low-thrust optimization, active debris removal missions, and heuristic optimization algorithms
Expected Graduation: May 2019
Jason Reiter
Advisor: David Spencer
Dissertation Title: Spacecraft Stealth through Optimization of Orbit-Perturbing Maneuvers: A Game Theory Approach (working title)
Funding Source: Science Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) fellowship with the Air Force’s Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) office
Master’s Thesis Title: Numerical and Analytical Solutions to Rapid Collision Avoidance Maneuvers Constrained By Mission Performance Requirements
Topics of Interest: Space debris, space situational awareness (collision avoidance, defensive maneuvering, etc), trajectory optimization, orbit determination, and game theory
Expected Graduation: May 2020
Mehrdad Mirzaei
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Dissertation Title: Design of Nonlinear Observers and Optimal Feedback Control Laws
Master Thesis: Optimal Path Planning for a Low-Altitude flight Pursuit
Topics of Interest: Optimal feedback control, attitude control, nonlinear observer design
Expected Graduation: May 2020
Jungmin Choi
Advisor: David Spencer
Dissertation Title: TBD
Master’s Thesis Title: Orbit Determination of Korea Regional Navigation Satellite System based on Inter-Satellite Link
Topics of Interest: Precise orbit determination, spacecraft navigation and trajectory optimization, astrodynamics, development of CubeSats and satellites, spacecraft attitude determination and control
Expected Graduation: May 2020
Peter Scarcella
Advisor: David Spencer
Dissertation Title: TBD
Master’s Thesis Title: Parametric Trade Study of Multiple Libration Point Orbits in the Circular Restricted Four Body Problem
Topics of Interest: Orbit determination, manifolds/libration point orbits/CR3BP/CR4BP, collision avoidance, rendezvous and docking, interplanetary trajectories and aerobraking
Expected Graduation: May 2020
Amit Jain
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Dissertation Title: TBD
Topics of Interest: Reachability sets, stoichastic processes, attitude control
Expected Graduation: May 2021
Brad Sottile
Advisor: Robert Melton
Dissertation Title: Evolutionary Computation for Solving Astrodynamics Problems (working title)
Master’s Thesis Title: Evolutionary Computation for Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization
Topics of Interest: Applied scientific computing, educational psychology and STEM teaching pedagogy, heuristic (“modern”) optimization techniques, spacecraft dynamics and control, and spacecraft trajectory design and optimization
Expected Graduation: May 2019
Matthew Shaw
Advisor: Dr. Melton and Dr. Singla (Co-advising), with Applied Research Lab advisor Dr. Phoha
Dissertation Title: Resident Space Object Shape Estimation via Machine Learning and Data Fusion Techniques
Funding Source: Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) Walker Graduate Fellowship
Program
Master’s Thesis Title: Design of Interplanetary Trajectories with Multiple Synergetic Gravitational Assist Maneuvers via Heuristic Optimization
Topics of Interest: Trajectory optimization, space-situational awareness, collision avoidance, interplanetary travel, 3-body problem, relative motion, satellite attitude and control, solar sail spacecraft
Expected Graduation: May 2022
Master’s Program
Mohammad Safa Azhar
Advisor: Robert Melton
Master’s Thesis Title: Application of the PSO technique for low thrust transfers between halo orbits
Topics of Interest: Interplanetary Astrodynamics, Space Flight Dynamics and Engineering, Orbit Trajectory Determination
Expected Graduation: Spring 2020
David Ciliberto
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Master’s Thesis Title: Kalman Filtering in Regularized Coordinates: Applications to Astrodynamics
Topics of Interest: Orbit and Attitude Estimation and Control, Uncertainty Propagation and Characterization, Spacecraft Navigation, Mission Design, Space Situational Awareness
Expected Graduation: Spring 2019
Damien Gueho
Advisor: Puneet Singla, Robert Melton
Master’s Thesis Title: Learning Capabilities of Neural Networks and Keplerian Dynamics
Topics of Interest: Uncertain Lambert Problem, Dynamic Systems and Control Theory, Machine Learning in Astrodynamics, Space Situational Awareness, Multiple Collision Avoidance, Maneuver Detection/Reconstruction, Statistical Orbit Determination
Expected Graduation: Spring 2019
Zachary Hall
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Master’s Thesis/Dissertation Title: Higher Order Polynomial Series Expansion Solution to the Uncertain Lambert Problem
Funding Source: Science Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) fellowship
Topics of Interest: Topics of Interest: Dynamic Systems and Control Theory, Stochastic Systems, Uncertainty Propagation and Characterization, Information Fusion, Data Association, Space Debris, and Space Situational Awareness
Expected Graduation: Spring 2019/Spring 2021
Michael Nino
Advisor: Robert Melton
Master’s Thesis Title: Method Analysis of a Time-Optimal, Constrained Satellite Reorientation Maneuver
Topics of Interest: Interplanetary mission planning, spacecraft attitude control, orbit trajectory determination, and mission design
Expected Graduation: Spring 2019
David Schwab
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Master’s Thesis Title: TBD
Topics of Interest: Space Situational Awareness, Autonomous Space Rendezvous, Computer Vision, Autonomous Navigation, Dynamic Systems, Optimal Control, Uncertainty Propagation and Characterization
Expected Graduation: Spring 2020
Sharad Sharan
Advisor: Robert Melton
Master’s Thesis Title: The Application of PSO to Find Optimal Lissajous Orbits (working title)
Topics of Interest:Interplanetary Mission Design, Trajectory Optimization and Space Flight Dynamics
Expected Graduation: Spring 2019
Mehdi Pujet-Mercier
Advisor: Puneet Singla
Master’s Thesis Title: TBD
Topics of Interest: Mission design, interplanetary mission planning
Expected Graduation: Spring 2020