Dynamics and Control
Current dynamics and control research includes:
The spectrum of research in dynamics and control ranges from theory to computation to experimentation. Research in this area is currently being conducted in:
- Formation control of spacecraft, autonomous aircraft and autonomous underwater vehicles
- Novel sensor and navigation systems using the stars (StarNav), the sun (SunNav) and active structured lights (VisNav) to provide accurate solutions to a variety of navigation problems
- Air-traffic management and control systems
- Nonlinear analysis of aeroelastic vehicles
- Cooperative control of ground and space robotic systems
- Rocket design and spacecraft-component design
- Attitude estimation
- Orbit theory and modeling of orbital debris
- Fault-tolerant robust adaptive control of ascent and re-entry vehicles
Dynamics and control research groups/labs:
- Aeroelasticity Research Group
- Center for Mechanics and Control
- Commercial Space Center for Engineering
- Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel (Texas Engineering Experiment Station)
- Vehicle Systems and Control Laboratory
Dynamics and control program of study:
The area of flight mechanics interfaces closely with analytical and experimental fluid mechanics, and is closely connected with evolving hardware for sensors, actuators, and computers. Students who study flight mechanics can expect to learn computer-aided methods for data acquisition and analysis, modern control theory and its applications, and of course, classical mechanics of particles, rigid bodies, and solids. Students interested in experimental aspects of flight mechanics also have access to the 7’ x 10’ Low Speed Wind Tunnel available to collect basic aerodynamic data. Riverside Campus also provides research aircraft and test support for in flight data collection. These two facilities provide effective tools for students and are substantially supported by government agencies and private industry to develop practical experiments that verify theory.
Dynamics and control-related courses:
Undergraduate:
- Aero 201, Introduction to Aerospace Engineering. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II.
- Aero 302, Aerospace Engineering Laboratory I. (1-3). Credit 2. I, II.
- Aero 305, Aerospace Engineering Laboratory II. (1-3). Credit 2. I, II.
- Aero 310, Aerospace Dynamics. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II.
- Aero 320, Numerical Methods. (2-3). Credit 3. I, II, S.
- Aero 401, Aerospace Vehicle Design I. (1-3). Credit 2. I.
- Aero 402, Aerospace Vehicle Design II. (1-6). Credit 3.II.
- Aero 420, Aeroelasticity. (3-0). Credit 3. II.
- Aero 421, Dynamics of Aerospace Vehicles. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II.
- Aero 422, Active Controls for Aerospace Vehicles. (3-0). Credit 3. I.
- Aero 423, Space Technology I. (3-0). Credit 3. I.
- Aero 425, Flight Test Engineering. (2-3). Credit 3. II.
- Aero 430, Numerical Simulation. (3-0). Credit 3. II.
- Aero 440, Cockpit Systems and Displays. (3-0). Credit 3. I.
- Aero 445, Vehicle Management Systems. (3-0). Credit 3. I.
Graduate:
- Aero 622, Spacecraft Dynamics & Control. (3-0) Credit 3.
- Aero 623, Optimal Spacecraft Attitude and Orbital Maneuvers. (3-0) Credit 3.
- Aero 624, Celestial Mechanics. (3-0) Credit 3.
- Aero 625, Digital Control of Aerospace systems. (3-0) Credit 3.
- Aero 626, Estimation of Dynamical Systems. (3-0) Credit 3.
- Aero 627, Principles of Structural Dynamics. (3-0). Credit 3.
- Aero 628, Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control. (3-0). Credit 3.
- Aero 629, Experimental Aerodynamics. (3-0). Credit 3.
- Aero 650, Spacecraft Attitude Determination. (3-0). Credit 3.
- Aero 660, Nonlinear Flight Dynamics. (3-0) Credit 3.
