The emphasis of our research is on closure of theory, computation and experimental aspects of Aerospace systems
To obtain more realistic and feasible trajectories for unmanned aerial systems (UASs), high-fidelity, six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) dynamic models of vehicles have to be considered. These high-fidelity models incorporate accurate aerodynamic and aero-mechanical models that will be used for all guidance (path-planning) and performance analysis purposes.
A representative fuel-optimal switching surface. These surfaces present a unification in astrodynamics and offer a rigorous connection between impulsive and low-thrust trajectories. We have been able to answer a 50 year-old question in the filed of astrodynamics (raised by Edelbaum) using this new idea and a few other insights.
A complex thrust profile for a minimum-fuel trajectory from earth to comet 67P when the spacecraft has four BPT4000 Extra High-Isp engines.
To obtain more realistic and feasible trajectories for unmanned aerial systems (UASs), high-fidelity, six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) dynamic models of vehicles have to be considered. These high-fidelity models incorporate accurate aerodynamic and aero-mechanical models that will be used for all guidance (path-planning) and performance analysis purposes.
News
November 30, 2020
Check our new Journal paper on the application of Trigonometric functions for solving complex optimal control problems.
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2- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oca.2692 (link on OCAM)
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November 22, 2020
Congratulations to Nick Nurre for being selected for the 2021 AIAA GNC Undergraduate Conference Experience. As a finalist, Nick will receive a scholarship to register and attend the Virtual AIAA SciTech 20201.
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October 12, 2020
Our paper on the application of the Composite Smooth Control (CSC) method for co-optimization of spacecraft trajectory and propulsion system is published in Elsevier's prominent journal Acta Astronautica. The link to this journal paper is provided: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576520306007?via%3Dihub
Auguest 12, 2020
Dr. Taheri's paper co-authored with Dr. John Junkins under the title of "State Vector Representation For Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization" has received the Best Paper Award of the 2018 Astrodynamics Specialist Conference. Link to the paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343620746_STATE_VECTOR_REPRESENTATIONS_FOR_LOW-THRUST_TRAJECTORY_OPTIMIZATION
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August 8, 2020
Nicholas Nurre will present a paper in the 2020 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, which will be held August 9-12 (https://www.space-flight.org/docs/2020_summer/2020_summer.html). The title of his talk is "Multiple Gravity-Assist Low-Thrust Trajectory Design Using Finite Fourier Series." Pre-print link (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343386309_MULTIPLE_GRAVITY-ASSIST_LOW-THRUST_TRAJECTORY_DESIGN_USING_FINITE_FOURIER_SERIES).
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June 16, 2020
Dr. Taheri has been invited to server as an associate editor for Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications.
https://www.springer.com/journal/10957
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March 14, 2020
Jack Kovryzhenko has been awarded a one-year College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Congratulations to Jack!
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March 1, 2020
A welcome message to our new undergraduate student Sam Sowell.
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October 22, 2019
Pre-prints for four new papers are available:
1 - Ehsan Taheri, et al., "A Novel Approach for Optimal Trajectory Design with Multiple Operation Modes of Propulsion System, Part 1." https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336703316_A_Novel_Approach_for_Optimal_Trajectory_Design_with_Multiple_Operation_Modes_of_Propulsion_System_Part_1 [submitted to Acta Astronautica]
2 - Ehsan Taheri, et al., "A Novel Approach for Optimal Trajectory Design with Multiple Operation Modes of Propulsion System, Part 2." https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336715385_A_Novel_Approach_for_Optimal_Trajectory_Design_with_Multiple_Operation_Modes_of_Propulsion_System_Part_2 [submitted to Acta Astronautica]
3 - Kshitij Mall and Ehsan Taheri, "Entry Trajectory Optimization for Mars Science Laboratory Class Missions Using Indirect Unified Trigonometrization Method," https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336703138_Entry_Trajectory_Optimization_for_Mars_Science_Laboratory_Class_Missions_Using_Indirect_Unified_Trigonometrization_Method [submitted to the 2020 American Control Conference]
4 - Kshitij Mall and Ehsan Taheri, "Optimal Control of Wave Energy Converters Using Epsilon-Trig Regularization Method," https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336703139_Optimal_Control_of_Wave_Energy_Converters_Using_Epsilon-Trig_Regularization_Method [submitted to the 2020 American Control Conference]
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September 9, 2019
A welcome message to our undergraduate students Xingran Huang and Nick Burr.
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August 30, 2019
ACE Lab has three abstracts accepted for the 2020 AIAA SciTech Forum. One paper in the area of atmospheric flight mechanics and two papers in the area of space flight mechanics:
Kshitij Mall and Ehsan Taheri, "Unified Trigonometrization Method for Solving Optimal Control Problems in Atmospheric Flight Mechanics," AFM-01, Trajectory Optimization and Control, January 6, 2020.
Ehsan Taheri, "Low-Thrust Trajectory Design Using Multi-Mode Propulsion Systems: A Grid-Based Thruster Model," SFM-27, Low-Thrust Trajectory Design and Optimization II, January 10, 2020.
Ehsan Taheri, "Composite Smooth Control Method for Low-Thrust Trajectory Design: Variable Specific Impulse Engine," SFM-27, Low-Thrust Trajectory Design and Optimization II, January 10, 2020.
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August 16, 2019
Dr. Kshitij Mall joined our lab as a post-doctoral research fellow.
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August 11-15, 2019
Professor Taheri presented two papers at AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Portland, ME.
Ehsan Taheri and John L. Junkins, "Revisiting “How Many Impulses?” Question," 2019 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Portland, ME, August 11-15, 2019, AAS 19-915.
Robyn Woollands and Ehsan Taheri, "Efficient Computation of Optimal Low Thrust Perturbed Orbit Transfers with Shadow Constraints," 2019 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Portland, ME, August 11-15, 2019, AAS 19-688.
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August 2, 2019
Welcome to the new website for the Aero-Astro Computational & Experimental Lab (ACE Lab).