The airship „Lotte“, built at the ISD, was used as a test platform for the control of airships. For re-entry vehicles not only optimal trajectories were computed but also guidance and control algorithms developed. The commercialization of GESOP/ASTOS, together with other commercial trajectory optimization services, was outsourced in a new company that still exists today as Astos Solutions GmbH in Vaihingen.Īt the same time, several research projects were dealing with topics in the field of flight control. Many master students used the opportunity for a stay abroad with American professors in Virginia or Georgia. Path optimization problems and questions were incorporated and worked on as part of master theses and dissertations.
The numerous ESA assignments lead to the corresponding model library (ASTOS) reaching a professional level. The iFR developed a unique program suite to numerically solve complex path optimization problems (GESOP/ASTOS). In the field of space travel, path optimization is a systematic approach for designing all kinds of trajectories in space. Until 2005, the main research focus was path optimization, also called optimal guidance. Until today possibilities for specialization at the iFR consist of special courses on control theory (basic theory and aerospace applications), guidance and optimization.
Only one year after its creation, the required number of courses and exams could be offered. During that period, an average of twelve PhD students worked at the iFR. Well, PhD, (1940 – 2017) shaped the iFR and its scientific orientation until his retirement in the autumn of 2005. The first director of the iFR, professor Klaus H. Since 2014, the iFR is located at Pfaffenwaldring 27. Only in 1998, the iFR succeeded in moving to the Campus Vaihingen, where it was first situated at the place of todays „house of the students“. The iFR was founded in the summer of 1991 and was first located at Forststraße 86 in Stuttgart-West. Therefore, flight testing and real-time computing play an important role at the iFR as well. Most of our research activities result in algorithms (for guidance, control, path planning, navigation, etc.), which are implemented on-board various aerial vehicles and demonstrated during flight tests. In this context, we work on methods for flight dynamics modeling and simulation, control, guidance, optimization and optimal control, semi-algebraic and statistical verification, supervision and certified control, estimation methods for navigation and identification as well as application of artificial intelligence. Intelligent flight through automation and assistance systems.We are mainly interested in exploring the interface between advanced system and control theory and practical engineering applications. The Institute of Flight Mechanics and Control (iFR) works in the field of guidance, control, and navigation of aerospace vehicles and instruments.