Optical Plasma Spectroscopy CubeSat (OPS-Cube)
The OPS-Cube mission will demonstrate the performance of an optical emission spectrometer (OES) as a viable new sensing instrument for on-orbit electric propulsion (EP) diagnostics. It will also demonstrate the utility of a pulsed-plasma thruster (PPT) as a propulsion system for CubeSat maneuvers. OPS-Cube is a 6×1U CubeSat that will house both a PPT and an OES instrument. These will be positioned at an angle such that the spectrometer can take measurements of the EP device’s plasma plume to diagnose thruster health and operating efficiency.
Robotic Satellite Servicing
The SFDC lab is investigating mission design and novel operational concepts for on-orbit, robotic satellite servicing. This research includes elements of space economics, trajectory optimization, and spacecraft design.
Automotive Powertrain Control
We apply methods of trajectory optimization and optimal control to automotive powertrain systems. Recent projects have included ratio scheduling optimization for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) and trajectory optimization of dynamic systems represented by high- and low-fidelity models.
Space Trajectory Optimization
This research includes low-thrust spacecraft trajectory optimization, mission analysis for exploration of long-period comets, and machine learning approaches for orbital dynamics.