Praveen is a second-year Ph.D. student. Praveen is passionate about space flight and atmospheric flight. His research on the space flight is focused on developing numerical methods for solving multiple-revolution spacecraft trajectories using electric propulsions systems. His atmospheric flight research will be focused on designing robust trajectories for multi-rotor vehicles using optimal control theory. 

Jack is a first-year Ph.D. student. His research is focused on developing control algorithms for autonomous operation of UAVs, where no input from the pilot is required from liftoff to landing. In particular, he is building multiple quad-copters as relatively inexpensive platforms. In addition, his research consists of developing Linux-based flight controllers that offer flexibility for implementing efficient control algorithms and real-time motion-planning tasks. Generating smooth trajectories using minimum-snap and Finite Fourier series shape-based methods is part of his ongoing research. There will be multiple test cases (missions), which will include taking off and landing on a moving platform. 

Nick Nurre is a first-year Ph.D. student. He is from Huntsville, AL and graduated from Huntsville High School. Nick is passionate about space and is interested in a career in either industry or academia dealing with space missions and spacecraft design. Nick's research in the ACE lab is focused on designing efficient impulsive and low-thrust orbital maneuvers. He is developing a framework for trajectory optimization for interplanetary missions that consist of multiple un-powered gravity-assist  maneuvers using shape-based and indirect optimization methods.

Keziban is a first-year Ph.D. student. Keziban's research in the ACE lab is focused on designing efficient impulsive orbital maneuvers. Her research also involves with developing regularization methods that facilitate the numerical solution of optimal control problems. Application of her techniques will include spacecraft trajectory optimization using electric propulsions systems and optimal control of general dynamical systems. 

Samuel Sowell is a graduate student at Auburn University and joined the ACE lab in Spring 2020. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. His research interests include spacecraft trajectory optimization using indirect formalism of optimal control theory. He is also working on developing direct optimization tools for solving optimal control problems. In particular, he is investigating the application of orthogonal collocation methods for solving spacecraft formation flight while taking into account maneuver time and propellant consumption.