Modeling and Optimization in Space Engineering

This volume consists of 14 contributed chapters written by leading experts, offering in-depth discussions of the mathematical modeling and algorithmic aspects for tackling a range of space engineering applications. This book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in the field of space engineering. Since it offers an in-depth exposition of the mathematical modelling, algorithmic and numerical solution aspects of the topics covered, the book will also be useful to aerospace engineering graduates and post-graduate students who wish to expand their knowledge by studying real-world applications and challenges that they will encounter in their profession. Readers will obtain a broad overview of some of the most challenging space engineering operational scenarios of today and tomorrow: this will be useful for managers in the aerospace field, as well as in other industrial sectors. The contributed chapters are mainly focused on space engineering practice. Researchers and practitioners in mathematical systems modelling, operations research, optimization, and optimal control will also benefit from the case studies presented in this book. The model development and optimization approaches discussed can be extended towards other application areas that are not directly related to space engineering. Therefore, the book can be a useful reference to assist in the development of new modelling and optimization applications.

Giorgio Fasano is a researcher and practitioner at Thales Alenia Space, with nearly four decades of experience in the field of optimization and a broad range of space engineering applications. He holds a M.Sc. degree in Mathematics. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA, UK), with the designation of Chartered Mathematician; he is also a Chartered Scientist (Science Council, UK). His interests include mathematical modelling, operations research, mixed integer programming, global optimization, and optimal control. He is the author of Solving Non-standard Packing Problems by Global Optimization and Heuristics (Springer, 2014); and co-editor of Operations Research in Space and Air (Ciriani et al., Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003). He is also the author of numerous other peer-reviewed research publications.

János D. Pintér is a researcher, educator, and practitioner with nearly five decades of experience in the broad area of systems modeling, analytics, and optimization, with a special emphasis on algorithm and software development for nonlinear optimization. He holds M.Sc., Ph.D., and D.Sc. degrees in Mathematics. So far, he has authored and edited ten books, including the award-winning monograph Global Optimization in Action (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996; Springer, 2013). He is also author or co-author of more than 200 book chapters, journal articles, research reports, book reviews, and software reviews. Dr. Pintér has been a member and officer of international professional organizations including the societies CORS, EUROPT, HORS, and INFORMS. He has also been serving for extensive periods of time on the editorial board of international professional journals. Dr. Pintér is the principal developer of a range of nonlinear optimization software products. In 2020, he joined the Department of Management Science and Information Systems at Rutgers University, where he teaches a range of business analytics / operations research topics.