Astrodynamics

The Astrodynamics Group is a lively and active group researching into the dynamics and control of spacecraft. The group has had a long association with SSTL and contributed to the successes of a number of SSTL missions in the orbit and attitude maintenance of their satellites.
The work done by the group is multidisciplinary, where the mix of backgrounds varies. We attract mathematicians looking at non-linear dynamical problems, electronic engineers for the design and integration of hardware for the testing of our algorithms, software engineers for the development of complex AOCS software systems and computer scientists interested in behavioural models for the scheduling and cooperation of multiple spacecraft.
The group actively promotes the exploration of deep space missions, looking at low cost transfers and capture into orbit around the Moon, and exploiting the non-linear gravitational influence of irregular asteroids for their exploration and landing.
The research work for AODCS and mission planning is brought together in the development of new innovative spacecraft autonomous systems.

In these pages you will see some of the many aspects of spacecraft mission design and control that we are interested in. You will also find details of the research we have done in the past and what is current. You can access our publications and preprints of work that is in the process of being published in a journal. The pages also give information for new research topics we are interested in, what has happened to former members of the group – what they have gone on to do and the many social get-togethers we arrange within the group.
This is a vibrant, multi-national group of researchers that share a common interest in the dynamics of spacecraft. As a member of our group you will interact with many people of other disciplines and learn how to translate ideas from one discipline to another.