Title:  Maneuverable Re-Entry Vehicles Using Nonlinear Tracking Control

Committee: 

Dr. Wardi, Advisor        

Dr. Abdallah, Chair

Dr. Vamvoudakis

Dr. Egerstedt

Abstract: The objective of the proposed research is to apply a novel and computationally efficient controller to the problem of maneuvering re-entry vehicles modeled by state equations. This is motivated by a resurgence in the research area of maneuverable aerospace vehicles spurred by shifting geopolitical landscapes and renewed interest in space exploration. Both thrust-free and thrust-capable vehicles are proposed, along with overshoot mitigation techniques using splines and control barrier functions.