Titan SURF/Simulation Environments and Visualization

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Mentor(s): Alberto Elfes, Mark Powell

Project Description: Different types of aerobots (lighter-than-air robots) are being considered for a Titan mission. Standard Montgolfiere balloons have vertical control only, while powered Montgolfieres or airships also have a horizontal propulsion capability. All types would take advantage of the Titan wind to help them reach science targets of interest. For that, the aerobot would have to plan how to best combine the wind field with its own control/propulsion capability. The student will use an available Titan wind model and information about the aerobot vehicle dynamics and propulsion to compute navigation plans to allow the aerobot to reach high-value science targets on the surface of Titan.

Recommended Prerequisites: Some experience with basic dynamical systems, probability, optimization and algorithm development.