Abstract

The process of developing, designing, and deploying algorithms in relevant environments is one that couples theory and application tightly. This is especially prevalent in satellite navigation and control. Deploying these methods requires rigorous theory to ensure confidence that the algorithm will not cause damage to a multi-million dollar asset. However, the application of such methods may require repeated execution on the order of seconds to minutes with minimum memory impact. Such considerations are important to the United States Space Force (USSF) as it strives to remain at the forefront of technology development for future satellite architectures. 

This talk will discuss the process of developing, designing, and deploying algorithms, in particular Model Predictive Control (MPC), for satellite rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). These RPO missions must facilitate numerous requirements. Firstly, the ability to operate in unknown, communication limited environments, such as in geostationary orbit and beyond. Secondly, these algorithms must enable precise, time-critical maneuvering and replanning needed for missions like on-orbit assembly and manufacturing. Some key aspects that will be highlighted throughout the talk are (1) understanding and exploiting underlying spacecraft dynamics (2) how to design algorithms to meet mission needs, and (3) steps to take to ensure that algorithms can be maximized for satellite and operator use. In the context of MPC, this will entail how to develop the optimization problem to ensure stability, robustness, and recursive feasibility while tailoring the methods for real-time feedback control and planning.

Bio

Dr. Dr. Christopher “Chrispy” Petersen is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department as of Fall 2023. He leads the Spacecraft Technology And Research (STAR) Laboratory, which is focused on 4 pillars of research; 1) Exploring & exploiting spacecraft dynamics 2) Advanced guidance, navigation, control, and autonomy (GNCA), 3) Real-time, computationally aware optimization for spacecraft and 4) Immersive human-satellite interfaces. While he enjoys everything space, his group’s research focuses primarily in the domains of rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) and eXtra GEOstationary (XGEO, which is above Geostationary orbit, to the Moon, and beyond). Before that, he was at the Space Vehicles Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RV) located at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. He received his B.S. from Syracuse University in Aerospace Engineering in 2012, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from University of Michigan in 2016 in Spacecraft Dynamics & Control. While at AFRL he worked on 10+ satellite experiments, developing, deploying, and executing GNCA algorithms for ground and on-orbit use. As a highlight, Dr. Petersen was the PI for advanced autonomous guidance algorithms used by the Mycroft flight experiment which has been recognized as “…the AF’s biggest game changer” for space warfighters. He also served as Deputy Program Manager of the Autonomous Demonstrations and Orbital eXperiments (ADOX) Portfolio, which is a series of satellite demonstrations focused on autonomy technologies to enable satellite inspection, XGEO space domain awareness and logistics in GEO including advanced propulsion and refueling. For his accomplishments, in 2021 he was awarded the AFRL Early Career Award. is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department as of Fall 2023. He leads the Spacecraft Technology And Research (STAR) Laboratory, which is focused on 4 pillars of research; 1) Exploring & exploiting spacecraft dynamics 2) Advanced guidance, navigation, control, and autonomy (GNCA), 3) Real-time, computationally aware optimization for spacecraft and 4) Immersive human-satellite interfaces. While he enjoys everything space, his group’s research focuses primarily in the domains of rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) and eXtra GEOstationary (XGEO, which is above Geostationary orbit, to the Moon, and beyond). Before that, he was at the Space Vehicles Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RV) located at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. He received his B.S. from Syracuse University in Aerospace Engineering in 2012, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from University of Michigan in 2016 in Spacecraft Dynamics & Control. While at AFRL he worked on 10+ satellite experiments, developing, deploying, and executing GNCA algorithms for ground and on-orbit use. As a highlight, Dr. Petersen was the PI for advanced autonomous guidance algorithms used by the Mycroft flight experiment which has been recognized as “…the AF’s biggest game changer” for space warfighters. He also served as Deputy Program Manager of the Autonomous Demonstrations and Orbital eXperiments (ADOX) Portfolio, which is a series of satellite demonstrations focused on autonomy technologies to enable satellite inspection, XGEO space domain awareness and logistics in GEO including advanced propulsion and refueling. For his accomplishments, in 2021 he was awarded the AFRL Early Career Award.

Abstract

Optimal recursive system parameter estimation has been applied to a phase locked loop (PLL) since the 1950s. Application to a PLL results in a second order, type II PLL. This type of PLL is NOT robust to parametric variations in the components of a PLL. The cause of this lack of robustness illustrates the main problem with optimal recursive linear system parameter estimation. Solution of this problem can then be extended from commercial PLLs to the general problems encountered in adaptive control, neural networks, neuro-biological information transfer, and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Bio

Since 2000, Don has been teaching and researching at UCSC in both Department of Electrical and Department of Computer Engineering at UCSC, and was a researcher in the Center for Adaptive Optics there (2001 - 2011). Don is a Life Fellow of IEEE. Don retired as Professor of Engineering and Applied Science in the Electrical Engineering Department at UCLA in 1994, after 29 years there. He was also Professor of Anesthesiology at UCLA. In 1995 he served as Senator Tom Harkin’s (Dem. IA) Legislative Assistant in Defense Appropriations, Energy, Environment, Arms Control, and Veteran’s Affairs as IEEE Congressional Fellow. He was a Fulbright Senior Fellow in Denmark in 1976-7 and in Norway in 1983-4, and he visited at DFVLR, Munich, 1969-70, University of Newcastle, Australia, 1989-90, University of Maryland, 1993-94, and Ajou University, Suwan, South Korea, 2006-07.