Research

Research within the STAR Group is centered around three main focii within the field of astrodynamics.

Frameworks and Methods for Exploration of the Solar System

Leveraging the Moon and Stable Libration Point Orbits Around L4/L5 to Observe the Solar Corona and Lunar Occultations

Lunar Occultations (LO) are important techniques used to study extra-terrestrial and extra-solar phenomena. This investigation aims to design a spacecraft trajectory framework to study LO from the Earth-Moon stable Libration points (L4/L5). The relative position and stability properties of this location allows for increase observation time relative to LEO and ground observatories. The investigation also includes a Solar sail as a method of propulsion to be used for the orbit insertion maneuvers from Earth orbit. 

Family of short period orbits about L4.

Perturbed Lambert Problem Using the Theory of Functional Connections

The Theory of Functional Connections (TFC) is used to solve Lambert’s problem. The mathematical model involves a functional approximation of the solution using orthogonal polynomials and a non-linear least squares solution. The solver has the ability to include any perturbation, namely J2 perturbation, third-body perturbations, and Solar radiation pressure. The algorithm performs faster than other solvers, namely differential corrections, and is generally more robust with the exception of a singularity when the transfer arc is close to 180 degrees.

Computation time difference as a function of arc angle. Negative values mean TFC is faster than differential corrections. 

Cislunar Surveillance

A Low-Complexity Algorithm to Determine Motion in the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem

The research develops an algorithm that lowers the computational time required to propagate a trajectory by solving for an analytical polynomial between boundary conditions. The algorithm is tested on many popular orbital trajectories in the Earth-Moon circular restricted three-body problem and compared to iterative methods. 

Computational time of algorithm on well-known Cislunar orbits.

A Review on Hot-Spot Areas Within the Cislunar Region and Upon the Moon's Surface

The research identifies key regions of interest within the Cislunar region, both on the Lunar surface and Cislunar space. Then, an orbital framework of low lunar orbits, that can enable passive information gain techniques, is developed to service the identified regions of interest on the Lunar surface.

Landing locations for upcoming lunar missions. 

Orbit and Attitude Coupling in the Full Higher Ephemeris Model within the Context of the Geometric Mechanics Framework

The ability to predict the attitude of a spacecraft in complex dynamical environments such as the Cislunar region is necessary for the success of future missions. This research is an expansion of existing work done to develop the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem, a reduction of the full N-body problem. The CRF3BP seeks to consider a rigid-body spacecraft in a 3-body system, allowing for attitude to be predicted in areas of space such as the Cislunar region and allowing for orbit/attitude coupling to be considered. The orbit that is analyzed was first considered in the CRF3BP as an initial guess, then transitioned into a full ephemeris model considering the Sun as well as the Moon's alliptical orbit to determine if the newly formulated CRF3BP was capable of accurately predicting attitude.

Comparison between CRF3BP and full ephemeris attitude metric for the ISS with nonzero rotational initial conditions (left) and null rotational initial conditions (right).

RSO Identification in Arbitrary Unresolved Space Imagery

Identifying Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in arbitrary space imagery with little prior information is a challenging, yet crucial next step in space domain awareness applications. This work proposes improvements to an existing RSO identification process for unresolved space images. The algorithm has three main phases: image processing, star elimination, and RSO association. Star elimination and RSO association use nearest neighbor association and tresholds on inertial frame-to-frame motion of observations to associate objects. Given a set of unresolved space images contiguous in time, the product of the algorithm presented is a set of measurements for orbit estimation.

Two RSO trails identified using the RSO identification algorithm.

Space Applications

Simulator Development for Coverage Planning of a 5G/loT Constellation 

This investigation relates to creating a simulator (JAVA) that propagates the motion of satellites belonging to constellations, specifically with a telecommunications role. This simulator has the capability of accurately computing visibility to target areas, ground stations, and user equipment taking into account field-of-view, as well as computing charge generated during Sun-visibility events. An unscented Kalman filter and inter-satellite links are included in the algorithm, with link budget considerations. 

Shown are the field-of-view cones of the satellite (green), ground stations (blue), and user equipments (red). The satellite's motion is propagated alongside the cones' motion while the windows of coverage for the locations are computed simultaneously.

Acoustic Drone Detection Using Machine Learning and Quantum Signal Processing

The aim of this research project is to perform essential investigations into the identification of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) using cutting-edge pattern recognition methods and quantum signal processing applied to recorded acoustic data. The primary objective is to recognize and predict deviations in audio signals by exploiting mathematical associations in the frequency domain, enabling the detection of UAVs in the surrounding area. The integration of the quantum signal processing framework improves current audio signal processing algorithms by harnessing the mathematical concepts of quantum mechanics. The foundational investigation undertaken in the envisioned project will lead to a groundbreaking progress in modern surveillance methods, with a particular emphasis on elevating the capabilities of identifying unidentifiable objects, refining positioning techniques, and advancing traffic management technology. By combining state-of-the-art research in induced vibration analysis with medical diagnosis, the project enables the development of effective and flexible patient diagnosis systems within medical drones, achieved through audio signal processing and machine learning techniques. This endeavour also serves as a unique educational resource, providing hands-on insights at the crossroads of pioneering algorithms and UAV technology, catering to both students and researchers. 

Proposed methodology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle detection using acoustics, machine learning and quantum signal processing.

Framework for Trajectory Design and Surveillance Using Augmented Reality

The aim of this research project is to use Augmented Reality (AR) in order to create an immersive experience for both design purposes in interplanetary missions and surveillance of the crowded Cislunar region. The framework will allow users to create, visualize, and interact with different trajectories in 3D space, with the objective of providing a better understanding of multidimensional astrodynamics data. Moreover, the surveillance capabilities will allow the facilitation of the mission design process by providing real-time locations of all objects in the Cislunar region, thus contributing to collision avoidance and the possibility of optimizing trajectory parameters for different missions.

Cislunar region with several periodic orbits in AR.

Robust Control for Rendezvous and Docking in the Multi-body System of the Cislunar Region

NASA plans to operate a space station in lunar orbit through the Gateway project. Since several modules need to be docked for successful space station construction, it is important to develop a controller with robust characteristics in the cislunar region, which receives the gravity of the earth and the moon at the same time. This project defines the most effective reference frame for docking in the cislunar region and develops a controller that successfully performs rendezvous and docking under various constraint conditions. In addition, it is implemented as a 3D screen through an AR device to check and verify whether docking is successful.

Posters

Space Trajectories and Applications Research Group Exposure Poster

Drone Detection Through Acoustic Signal Processing

Trajectory Design and Surveillance of the Cislunar Region Using Augmented Reality

Leveraging the Moon and Stable Libration Point Orbits around L4/L5 to Observe the Solar Corona 

Orbit and Attitude Coupling in the Full Higher-Fidelity Ephemeris Model within the context of the Geometric Mechanics Framework 

Creation of a Trajectory Framework that is Sustainable for a Continuous Exploration of Mars and its Moons

A review on hot-spot areas within the Cislunar region and an orbital framework for key regions 

Resident Space Object Identification in Arbitrary Unresolved Space Images