Research

Advanced Robotics, Flight Dynamics, Space Systems, and Control

Autonomous Spacecraft Rendezvous and Docking

SMRL is developing autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies for on-orbit servicing

- SAS-SAT project (CubeSat mission funded by Northrop Grumman)

SAS-SAT Project (Image Credit: NMSU NanoSat Lab)

MEV-1 (Mission Extension Vehicle) is the first commercial on-orbit satellite servicing vehicle to provide life extension services to satellite operators in geosynchronous orbit (Image Credit: Northrop Grumman)

Simulation for Docking with a Rotating Target

Video: Experimental Validation of Real-Time Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Docking with a Rotating Targeton the POSEIDYN Air-Bearing Test Bed at Spacecraft Robotics Lab (Director: Dr. Marcello Romano), Naval Postgraduate School.

VTS - Virtual Telescopes in Space (Distributed Space Telescope)

Dr. Park has participated in the following VTS projects for precise position and attitude alignment for space virtual telescoping:

- VISORS project (funded by NSF)
- VTXO project (funded by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

VISORS formation flying configuration of three small satellites in low Earth orbit implementing a distributed space telescope

VTXO (Image Credit - NASA Goddard)

Video: Experimental validation of the hybrid attitude determination and control algorithm on the CubeTAS test bed at Spacecraft Robotics Lab (Director: Dr. Marcello Romano), Naval Postgraduate School.

Real-Time Guidance and Control of Hypersonic Aircraft based on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control and Code Generation

Development of nonlinear, optimization-based controllers that directly incorporate system dynamics and operational constraints to improve the operational flexibility and robustness of hypersonic vehicles.

Hypersonic Vehicle (Image Credit - Sandia National Labs)

Predictive Guidance and Control Algorithms for NASA Astrobee Robots operating inside the International Space Station

Real-time collision avoidance maneuvers for Astrobee robots developed by the NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group

Astrobee Robot (Image Credit - NASA Ames)

Aero Worker

Doing real work such as sampling, painting on a wall, and inspecting bridges and wind turbines