AEM Seminar: Friday, February 27th - Prof Kenshiro (Ken) Oguri, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University

[Molly Schmitz]

University of Minnesota

Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
Spring 2026 Seminar Series

Friday, February 27, 2026

209 Akerman Hall

2:30pm-4:30pm

AEM Seminar: 

Stochastic Planning, Control, and Optimization for Spacecraft Autonomy

Abstract: 

Safety assurance is critical for operating any autonomous vehicles. Yet, this principle is significantly challenged in space, where vehicles must operate in nonlinear environments with stringent constraints and large uncertainty. As a result, spacecraft autonomy requires constrained planning, control, and optimization under uncertainty. The demand for such capabilities will only increase as we expand the frontier of our exploration across and beyond the solar system. 

Motivated by these demands in space community, my research group at Purdue develops theory, algorithms, and software for provably safe planning, control, and optimization under uncertainty. In this talk, I will present how we can leverage stochastic control, uncertainty quantification, and optimization to address fundamental challenges in safety-assured spacecraft autonomy. I will also discuss the implication and broader impact of the theoretical results beyond space applications.

Bio:

Dr. Kenshiro (Ken) Oguri is an Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Ken's research interest includes orbital mechanics, control theory, stochastic systems, and optimization. At Purdue, he currently leads a research group of 14 graduate students. On the control-theoretic side, his research spans stochastic control, optimal control, nonlinear control, and optimization. On the space application front, his research addresses challenges in space exploration, navigation, and autonomy, in collaboration with NASA, JPL, AFOSR, Aerospace Corporation, and Draper Labs. He has published more than 110 journal/conference papers in these fields. His research has been recognized by NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) award and multiple paper awards. Prior to joining Purdue faculty in 2022, he worked at NASA JPL and JAXA. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021, and M.S. and B.S. from the University of Tokyo in 2017 and 2015, respectively.

*Refreshments to follow in 209 Akerman Hall   

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For more information regarding current or future seminars and speakers, or other AEM events, please visit https://cse.umn.edu/aem/aem-events-0  

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Molly Schmitz (She/Her/Hers)

Principal Accountant, Purchasing & Payroll Specialist

Department of Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

[Molly Schmitz]

[Molly Schmitz]

University of Minnesota

Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
Spring 2026 Seminar Series

Friday, March, 2026

209 Akerman Hall

2:30pm-4:30pm

Hi all, 

There will be no AEM 8000 seminar this week

Enjoy your weekend! 

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For more information regarding current or future seminars and speakers, or other AEM events, please visit https://cse.umn.edu/aem/aem-events-0  

If you would like to be removed from the AEM Seminar mailing list, please send an e-mail to aem-dep...@umn.edu

[Molly Schmitz]

University of Minnesota

Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
Spring 2026 Seminar Series

Friday, March 13, 2026

209 Akerman Hall

2:30pm-4:30pm

Hi all, 

Due to Spring Break, there will be no AEM 8000 seminar this week. 

Have a safe and happy break!

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For more information regarding current or future seminars and speakers, or other AEM events, please visit https://cse.umn.edu/aem/aem-events-0  

If you would like to be removed from the AEM Seminar mailing list, please send an e-mail to aem-dep...@umn.edu