Research Groups
The Surrey Space Centre researches into many varied aspects of satellite design, control and applications.
Spacecraft technology requires a broad range of backgrounds from Physics and Engineering to Mathematics and Software systems. This broad range is reflected in our research groups which cover many aspects of space and its uses:
| Antenna and RF Systems | Antenna, smart antenna, phased array, RF and microwave circuits, electromagnetic modelling techniques and communication systems |
|---|---|
| Astrodynamics | The study of the dynamics of spacecraft. This subject includes mission analysis, satellite orbital motions; spacecraft attitude, guidance, navigation and control and estimation. |
| Autonomy & AI | Techniques: computational intelligence, cognitive robotic vision, data fusion, biomimetics, and rational agent, etc. Applications: autonomous space vehicles and robots alike (incl. sensing, navigation, planning & scheduling, control & optimization). Systems: micro-rover, wasp drill, micro-penetrator. |
| Control Systems | Design and implementation of control algorithms for a variety of industries, including robotics, aerospace and animation. The group has experience in the design of hardware and mechatronic systems and actuators based on electromagnetic levitation. |
| On Board Data Handling | FPGAs, hardware accelerated compression and signal processing |
| Environments & Instrumentation | Space Science, Magnetospheric models, radiation effects on electronics. |
| Plasma Dynamics | Applied plasma physics research, particularly development of novel plasma thruster technologies for small spacecraft |
| Propulsion | Bipropellant engines, Solar Thermal, Green propellants |
| Robotics | Biologically inspired rovers for planetary surface exploration, Robotic manipulators for on-orbit servicing, Unmanned ground vehicles for Search and Rescue operations, Precision landers, Model Based Systems Engineering, Medical robots |
