Science operations
Research also supports the planning and interpretation of mission observations, including the LUMIO Science Operations Centre and the Milani Navigation Experiment Operations Centre.
Research
DART investigates the dynamics of spaceflight and develops methods for autonomous exploration. Our research spans mission design, spacecraft guidance and navigation, and the physical processes that shape small bodies. We combine mathematical models and numerical simulations with laboratory experiments to study challenging environments and test the systems needed to operate within them. Applications include interplanetary transfers, cislunar missions, close-proximity operations, and surface exploration.
Astrodynamics and Mission Design
The gravitational environments of the Solar System offer opportunities for efficient spaceflight, but also create demanding trajectory-design problems. We investigate nonlinear dynamics and develop optimisation methods for missions with limited propulsion and complex operational constraints. Our work covers interplanetary transfers, motion in the Earth–Moon system, and trajectories near small bodies.
- Mission analysis Interplanetary, cislunar, and close-proximity trajectories, including rendezvous and gravity-assist sequences.
- Trajectory optimisation Direct and indirect methods for low-thrust missions, with flight time, propellant use, and operational constraints considered in the design.
- Nonlinear astrodynamics Dynamical structures, phase-space analysis, and ballistic capture for trajectory design.
DART develops trajectory-optimisation tools including DIRETTO, based on direct collocation, and the LT2.0 low-thrust optimiser.
Selected publications
- Assessment of State Vector Representations for Convex Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization Hofmann et al. · The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences · 2026
- Control-Constrained Indirect Optimization for Low-Thrust Trajectories with Duty Cycles Mannocchi et al. · Journal of Guidance Control and Dynamics · 2026
- Convex Trajectory Optimization via Monomial Coordinates Transcription for Cislunar Rendezvous Regantini et al. · Journal of Guidance Control and Dynamics · 2026
Autonomous Guidance, Navigation and Control
Autonomous spacecraft must determine their motion and adapt their trajectory with limited support from Earth. We develop guidance, navigation, and control methods for different mission phases, accounting for uncertain dynamics, imperfect measurements, and onboard computing constraints. Optical observations provide navigation information across distances, from unresolved celestial bodies to surface features visible during close approach.
- Guidance and control Trajectory replanning, goal-oriented proximity guidance, and model predictive control under navigation and dynamical uncertainty.
- Optical navigation Measurements from unresolved bodies, resolved shapes and limbs, and tracked surface landmarks.
- Localisation and mapping SLAM for estimating spacecraft motion while reconstructing the observed environment during close-proximity operations.
- Embedded autonomy Algorithms and software for processors with limited power and memory, including autonomous scheduling, monitoring, and diagnostics.
Navigation strategies change with viewing geometry and the information available in the images. Guidance and control use the estimated state to update spacecraft actions.
- Far range Unresolved celestial bodies
- Mid range Resolved shapes and limbs
- Close range Surface features and mapping
Selected publications
- Autonomous Vision-Based Navigation at Small Bodies Combining Centroiding and Visual Odometry Piccolo et al. · Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets · 2026
- Nonlinear sample-based guidance leveraging GPU-based propagation Pacursa et al. · Nonlinear Dynamics · 2026
- On the Radiometric Calibration of Optical Hardware-in-the-Loop Stimulators Ornati et al. · Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets · 2026
Small-Body Science and Exploration
Small bodies preserve information about the history of the Solar System and present unusual environments for exploration. We study how local material properties and particle interactions influence their large-scale behaviour. The work combines theoretical models, numerical experiments, and physical testing to investigate asteroid dynamics and the interaction between spacecraft and low-gravity surfaces.
- Asteroid and particle dynamics Granular mechanics, collective behaviour, and numerical modelling with the GRAINS N-body code.
- Impacts and surface interaction Impact processes, lander–surface contact, and mobility in low-gravity environments.
- Experiments and instrumentation Microgravity experiments, remote imaging, and tools for drilling and investigating small-body surfaces.
These activities support scientific exploration and planetary defence, while informing the design of surface operations and instruments.
View a granular-dynamics simulation
Selected publications
- Contact dynamics investigation towards microgravity experiment for asteroid-related scenarios Vaghi et al. · Multibody System Dynamics · 2026
- Extension of terminator orbits for solar sail about small bodies Ondeggia et al. · Acta Astronautica · 2026
- Global Optimality in Multi-Flyby Asteroid Trajectory Optimization: Theory and Application Techniques Zhang et al. · Journal of Guidance Control and Dynamics · 2026
All 174 papers in this area → Planetary defence papers (55) →
Digital and Physical Twins
Representative testing connects algorithm development to the behaviour of real sensors and hardware. We combine numerical simulation with physical test environments to investigate spacecraft motion, sensing, and control. Hardware-in-the-loop experiments allow GNC systems to interact with real components while a simulated mission supplies the surrounding dynamics.
- Optical and robotic testing Controlled illumination and relative-motion experiments for cooperative and non-cooperative targets.
- Integrated GNC simulation Combined attitude, optical, and thrust testing through STASIS, RETINA, and ETHILE within the EXTREMA Simulation Hub.
- Experimental validation Subsystem integration, autonomous GNC testing, and faster-than-real-time simulation frameworks.
The Facilities page provides further information on the experimental infrastructure supporting this research.
Selected publications
- Development and validation of a physically based rendering methodology for celestial bodies Pizzetti et al. · Acta Astronautica · 2026
- Design of a Low-Aberration Variable-Magnification Optical Stimulator for Vision System Hardware-in-The-Loop Testing Panicucci et al. · IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems · 2025
- High-Accuracy, Vision-Based Attitude Estimation System for Air-Bearing Spacecraft Simulators Ornati et al. · Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets · 2025
Research supporting mission operations
Space-system cybersecurity
Space-system modelling and cyber-range environments support the study of threats, onboard threat identification, and cybersecurity exercises involving simulated and physical system components.