AEM Seminar: Calibration & Rectification in Astrodynamics Problems
Andrew Sinclair, Senior Aerospace Engineer, AFRL
2:30 PM on 2017-03-31
Abstract:
Calibration and rectification are two recently developed methods to generate accurate approximations of nonlinear dynamic systems. Calibration of linear approximations takes advantage of the different degrees of nonlinearity in available coordinate representations. Coordinate transformations are used to compute an alternate initial condition. Linear propagation of this calibrated initial condition can provide greater accuracy than the true initial condition. Rectification of higher-order approximations takes advantage of the fact that treating a point along these solutions as a new initial condition, and restarting the propagation, produces a different solution. An example of particular interest is spacecraft relative motion, where improved understanding of the dynamics allows for rendezvous and proximity operations with greater efficiency and autonomy.
Bio:
Andrew J. Sinclair is a Senior Aerospace Engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB. Prior to that he was a faculty member in the Aerospace Engineering Department at Auburn University for 11 years. He received BS and MS degrees from the University of Florida, and a PhD from Texas A&M University. His research interests are in spacecraft dynamics, control, and estimation.