Control and Dynamics Laboratory 

The laboratory includes experimental equipment for the study of space element control including formation flying. Researchers utilise static attitude hardware-in-the-loop test stations for the design and verification of attitude and orbital control systems. 

Spacecraft and particularly space stations such as MIR (right) can have complex nonlinear dynamics that cause unwanted perturbations and torques. Researchers are working to develop new control algorithms that can remove unwanted dynamical behavior in order to enhance performance.

Selected Publications

2006    B. M. Quine. A derivative-free implementation of the Extended Kalman Filter: Nonlinear State Estimation without Partial Derivatives, Automatica, 42, 1927-1934.

Abstract: A nonlinear estimation paradigm is developed to estimate the mean and covariance of a time-evolving state distribution. The approach represents uncertainty by an ensemble set of state vectors rather than by the traditional mean and covariance measures, avoiding the need for the calculation of matrix partial derivatives (Jacobian matrices). The paradigm is shown to be equivalent to the extended Kalman filter in a limiting case. Implementation of the new filtering approach is illustrated with a simple example and a step-by-step description. The paradigm is not significantly more computationally intensive than traditional filters and proves ideal for the rapid implementation of complex nonlinear system and observation models.

2002    B. M. Quine, K. Strong, A. Wiacek, D. Wunch, J. A. Anstey and J. R. Drummond, Scanning the Earth's limb from a high-altitude balloon: the development and flight of a new balloon based pointing system, Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 19, pp. 618-632.