About

We are a leading aerospace research group specializing in control, estimation, space domain awareness, and active debris removal. Our team conducts cutting-edge research on space systems and collaborates with prominent institutes and laboratories. Currently, our lab is engaged in pioneering projects, including a comprehensive hardware-in-the-loop simulation for space debris removal and advanced space domain awareness techniques.

We are constantly seeking innovative solutions to complex aerospace challenges and welcome highly motivated graduate students with strong backgrounds in mathematics, engineering, and a passion for space research to join our team. If you are an aspiring aerospace engineer looking to make significant contributions to the field, we encourage you to apply to our program. At SPACE Lab, we thrive on collaboration with both industry partners for applied research and development and governmental agencies for groundbreaking theoretical advancements. Join us in pushing the boundaries of space exploration and technology!

About our Research

We apply and develop new statistical tools to solve challenging problems in:

We also perform research in Astrodynamics, Spacecraft Guidance, Active Debris Remouva, Autonomous Navigation, Attitude Determination and Control Systems, Autonomy, Sensor Fusion, Orbit Determination, Debris Risk Ranking, Complex Simulations, Path Planning, Covariance Control, and more.

For more details on our current research projects and topics, please visit our research page.

Current Projects

Non-GPS Navigation System Using Dual Star/Planetary Cameras for Lunar and Deep-Space CubeSat Missions (2024-2027)
This work creates a complete pipeline for Guidance, Navigation, and Control in cislunar and deep space without the help of GPS and using start trackers and planetary cameras as measurements. This is a joint research with Dr. Lee and Dr. Abdelkhalik.

Parameters Estimation for Informed Orbit Capacity Models, STMD (2024-2025)
This research aims to obtain a well-informed set of interaction parameters for dynamical models that describe the evolution of the space population in the LEO regime.

Iowa NASA EPSCoR Partnership Development Travel Grant (2023-2024)
This grant promotes travel and collaborations to develop research on topics of interest for NASA.

Avoiding the Kessler Syndrome through policy intervention (2024-2025)
This research is a sub-award with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a joint effort with Richard Linares, Daniel Hastings, and Danielle Wood to solve the Kessler Syndrome for Space Domain Awareness.

About Joining The Lab

At SPACE Lab, we are excited to extend an invitation to new students passionate about space research. Here, you will immerse yourself in cutting-edge projects focused on control, estimation, space domain awareness, and active debris removal. Working alongside highly motivated colleagues, you will have the chance to contribute to pioneering solutions that address critical challenges in space exploration. Join us to collaborate on innovative research that pushes the boundaries of what is possible and shapes the future of space science.

Graduate Students

If you are interested in joining our group as a graduate student, please submit an application to the aerospace graduate program. All complete applications are rigorously reviewed to ensure we attract only the most capable and brilliant minds. A strong application should include a detailed statement identifying the research group(s) you wish to join and the specific topics you are eager to explore in your graduate studies.

Please note that we do not provide feedback on incomplete applications or respond to emails containing only CVs, research statements, or general inquiries about our group. This policy allows us to maintain a fair and thorough review process for all applicants. To assist you, we keep our website updated with the most current information about our lab and research focus.

During the application and recruitment season, we receive a high volume of emails regarding potential openings and requests for meetings to discuss our research. We apologize for our inability to respond to each email or to accommodate meeting requests during this busy period. We do not plan to add new graduate students to the group in Spring 2025 but anticipate one open position in Fall 2025. We seek highly skilled and intellectually curious students ready to tackle the challenging and innovative projects at SPACE Lab.

Undergraduate Students

If you are a current ISU student and are interested in joining the lab, we have available undergraduate research assistant (URA) opportunities. New spots open every semester, so make sure to check if there are any available spots at the beginning of each session. In order for you to be fully successful in the lab, we require all our students to have some prerequisites.

Priority is given to students with knowledge of feedback control, estimation, and machine learning and a strong coding background. AERE 3510 is strongly encouraged (especially if taken with Dr. Servadio), followed by AERE 3550 and AERE 3310.

Visiting Scholars

If you are interested in joining the lab as a visiting and/or exchange student, for example, to perform research for a thesis, please follow these steps:

About Dr. Servadio

Simone Servadio’s fascination with aerospace engineering began in Italy, where he was captivated by the intricacies of flight and space exploration. This passion led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano. His academic journey at Politecnico di Milano continued with a master’s degree in Space Engineering, further honing his skills and knowledge in the field.

In pursuit of advanced research opportunities, Servadio moved to the United States to join the University of Texas at Austin, one of the leading institutions in aerospace studies. Here, he completed his PhD in Aerospace Engineering in 2021. His doctoral research focused on developing innovative techniques in non-linear estimation and filtering, uncertainty propagation and quantification, and attitude determination and control systems. These areas are crucial for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of space missions. During his time at the University of Texas, Servadio’s outstanding contributions to the field were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Breakwell Best Student Paper Award at the 31st AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting in 2021. He also received the Best Paper Second Runner-up award at the 23rd International Conference of Information Fusion in 2020, showcasing his ability to excel in both theoretical and applied research​

Following his PhD, Servadio joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a postdoctoral associate. At MIT, he worked on advanced projects related to space sustainability and space domain awareness. His research included the development of techniques for tracking and station keeping, which are vital for maintaining the operational health and safety of satellites in orbit. This period at MIT allowed Servadio to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in aerospace engineering and further refine his research methodologies.

In 2023, Simone Servadio embarked on the next chapter of his career as an assistant professor of aerospace engineering at Iowa State University (link). This position provided him with a platform to continue his research while also mentoring the next generation of aerospace engineers. Servadio’s research interests at Iowa State include the use of the Koopman operator in astrodynamics and the development of systems for relative pose estimation and control, which are critical for the autonomous navigation and docking of satellites.​

Servadio’s research aims to address some of the most pressing challenges in the space industry today. One of his primary goals is to improve space sustainability by developing methods to accurately estimate and predict the effects of uncertainties in space operations. This includes mitigating the risks associated with space debris, which is a growing concern as more satellites are launched into orbit. A significant aspect of his work focuses on active debris removal. Servadio envisions creating autonomous systems that can accurately determine the relative pose between a satellite and an uncooperative target, such as space debris. These systems would enable satellites to rendezvous with and deorbit debris, thus enhancing the safety and sustainability of the space environment​.

As a professor, Servadio is committed to fostering an environment of critical thinking and curiosity among his students. He believes in encouraging students to not only understand the current state-of-the-art but also to think innovatively about how to advance the field. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the development of an engineering mindset, where students are equipped to analyze problems and devise effective solutions independently.​

Simone Servadio’s journey in aerospace engineering is marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and excellence. From his early days at the Politecnico di Milano to his current role at Iowa State University, he has made significant contributions to the field. His research on non-linear estimation, space sustainability, and active debris removal holds the promise of making space operations safer and more efficient. As he continues to inspire and mentor future engineers, Servadio’s work will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the aerospace industry.