Related papers: Multi-Revolution Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimizatio…

We study global optimization of non-convex functions through optimal control theory. Our main result establishes that (quasi-)optimal trajectories of a discounted control problem converge globally and practically asymptotically to the set…

The task of inducing, via continuous static state-feedback control, an asymptotically stable heteroclinic orbit in a nonlinear control system is considered in this paper. The main motivation comes from the problem of ensuring convergence to…

We propose a reduction procedure for symplectic connections with symmetry. This is applied to coadjoint orbits whose isotropy is reductive.

We present a unified approach for constraint displacement problems in which a robot finds a feasible path by displacing constraints or obstacles. To this end, we propose a two stage process that returns locally optimal obstacle…

In this paper, the trajectory planning problem for autonomous rendezvous and docking between a controlled spacecraft and a tumbling target is addressed. The use of a variable planning horizon is proposed in order to construct an appropriate…

An inexact semismooth Newton method has been proposed for solving semi-linear elliptic optimal control problems in this paper. This method incorporates the generalized minimal residual (GMRES) method, a type of Krylov subspace method, to…

Low-thrust orbital transfers are difficult to optimize by indirect methods. The main issues come from the costate guess and from the numerical propagation accuracy required by the shooting method. In the case of a coplanar minimum-time…

Model predictive control (MPC) has established itself as the primary methodology for constrained control, enabling general-purpose robot autonomy in diverse real-world scenarios. However, for most problems of interest, MPC relies on the…

This paper presents an efficient suboptimal model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for nonlinear switched systems subject to minimum dwell time constraints (MTC). While MTC are required for most physical systems due to stability, power…

Symplectic N-body integrators are widely used to study problems in celestial mechanics. The most popular algorithms are of 2nd and 4th order, requiring 2 and 6 substeps per timestep, respectively. The number of substeps increases rapidly…

We design optimal harmonic-trap trajectories to transport cold atoms without final excitation, combining an inverse engineering techniqe based on Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants with optimal control theory. Since actual traps are not really…

We give a method to determine relative periodic orbits in point vortex systems: it consists mainly into perform a symplectic reduction on a fixed point submanifold in order to obtain a two-dimensional reduced phase space. The method is…

Space missions that use low-thrust propulsion technology are becoming increasingly popular since they utilize propellant more efficiently and thus reduce mission costs. However, optimizing continuous-thrust trajectories is complex,…

This paper proposes an algorithm which can be used in hybrid Coulomb spacecraft formations to minimize propellant by maximizing the amount of force that is generated by Coulomb forces. This problem is difficult due to the nonlinearities…

This paper addresses the critical problem of co-optimizing the optimal locations for orbital depots and the sequence of in-space servicing for a satellite constellation. While most traditional studies used network optimization for this…

This paper addresses an optimal control problem for a robot that has to find and collect a finite number of objects and move them to a depot in minimum time. The robot has fourth-order dynamics that change instantaneously at any pick-up or…

We present a framework for bi-level trajectory optimization in which a system's dynamics are encoded as the solution to a constrained optimization problem and smooth gradients of this lower-level problem are passed to an upper-level…

Optimal mass transport, also known as the earth mover's problem, is an optimization problem with important applications in various disciplines, including economics, probability theory, fluid dynamics, cosmology and geophysics to cite a few.…

This paper presents an end-to-end framework for robust structure/control optimization of an industrial benchmark. When dealing with space structures, a reduction of the spacecraft mass is paramount to minimize the mission cost and maximize…

The symplectic eigenvalue problem for symmetric positive-definite (spd) matrices plays a crucial role in various scientific fields, including quantum mechanics and control theory. This paper introduces a trace-penalty minimization method,…