By Simone D'Amico March 30, 2023
I created the Stanford Space Rendezvous Lab (SLAB) about 10 years ago with a vision, a long-term objective to enable future miniaturized distributed space systems of unprecedented capability.
Four research pillars were defined that fed into one another in a feedback loop:
1) Advanced Multi-Satellite Mission Design;
2) Multi-Agent GNC and Decision-Making Algorithms;
3) High-Fidelity Validation and Training using Robotics and Augmented Reality;
4) Demonstration on Unique Space Flight Missions.
These research pillars led to 10 PhD theses, each superior to the one that ultimately got me into Stanford. The related algorithms and prototype flight software are being demonstrated on 3 first-of-its-kind autonomous swarming missions: STARLING (launch in Q3 2023), SWARMEX (launch in Q3 2024), and VISORS (launch in Q3 2024).
Today I celebrate those 10 PhD theses and the amazing effort of my PhD students and PostDocs over the years. These are must-reads if you want to master GNC of multi-satellite systems:
Matthew Willis; Analytical Theory of Satellite Relative Motion with Applications to Autonomous Navigation and Control; 2023
Nathan Stacey; Robust Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation and Environment Characterization; 2022
Tommaso Guffanti; Optimal Passively-Safe Control of Multi-Agent Motion with Application to Distributed Space Systems; 2022
Corinne Lippe; Optimal Guidance and Control of Spacecraft Swarms in Planetary and Asteroid Orbits; 2021
Vincent Giralo; Precision Navigation of Miniaturized Distributed Space Systems using GNSS; 2021
Michelle Chernick; Optimal Impulsive Control of Spacecraft Relative Motion; 2021
Joshua Sullivan; Nonlinear Angles-Only Orbit Estimation for Autonomous Distributed Space Systems; 2020
Sumant Sharma; Pose Estimation of Uncooperative Spacecraft using Monocular Vision and Deep Learning; 2019
Adam Koenig; Formation Design of Distributed Telescopes in Earth Orbit with Application to High-Contrast Imaging; 2019
Connor Beierle; High Fidelity Validation of Vision-Based Sensors and Algorithms for Spaceborne Navigation; 2019
All available for download at the Publications page.
Simone D'Amico is the founder and director of SLAB.
