Space technologies and spacecraft dynamics

Contribution

Simulation of reentry vehicle dynamics (lifting and non lifting vehicles incl. aerodynamic decelerators and parachutes)

Space robotics and Human Machine Interface (HMI) design

Key actions and outputs

Projects: international and regional projects, industrial research contracts

Collaborations: Thales Alenia Space Italia, SMEs.

Aircraft dynamics and flight simulation

Contribution

Simulation of fixed wing aircraft dynamics (incl. flexible aircraft and aeroelasticity)

Key actions and outputs

EU Project: Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative - ASTIB

Projects: international and regional projects, industrial research contracts

Flight Simulator: Airbus A320 (educational)

Collaborations: Leonardo, SMEs.

Helicopter dynamics and flight simulation

Contribution

Design and modelling of innovative rotary wing aircraft (tiltwing, tiltrotor and compound configuration)

Analysis of handling qualities requirements

Definition of pilot models for real time simulation and assessment of offline and online criteria for the detection of Pilot Induced/Assisted Oscillations

Development and validation of high order simulation models for articulated and hingeless rotors including propulsion / drive train dynamics

Key actions and outputs

Projects: national projects, industrial research funding

International working group: GARTEUR HC-EG-31 "Exploratory Group on Conceptual Design of Helicopters” 

Collaborations: ZHAW, University of Maryland, Politecnico di Milano, Leonardo.

Design, operation and testing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Contribution

Design and testing of flying prototypes (laboratory and field testing)

Indoor and GPS-denied autonomous flight

Risk analysis and path planning algorithms 

Virtual simulation and emulation (ROS/Gazebo) 

HIL and SIL testing

Key actions and outputs

EU Project: MARVEL - Micro Aerial Vehicles for Multipurpose Remote Monitoring and Sensing

Projects: national and regional projects, industrial research contracts

Patent: "Micro Velivolo ad Ala Fissa” - Italian national patent no. TO-2003-A000702

Spin off company: Mavtech / I3P / NOI Techpark Südtirol/Alto Adige

Collaborations: ENAC, EURAC Research, University of Bolzano, University of Torino, Leonardo, TIM, GM, SMEs. 

Design of experimental rigs (including the design of force transducers, scaled models and data acquisition system)

Testing activity (wind tunnel) 

Analysis of experimental data, correlation with flight mechanics, simulation and control applications. 

Key actions and outputs

Reference databases: SDM, WG16, Apollo ACM, SCAUT, DW65, DW80

Experimental inter-facility comparison: AGARD WG16

International working group: NATO RTO-AVT-080 "Vortex Breakdown over Slender Wings”

Projects: national projects, industrial research contracts

Former collaborations: NRCI/INRIM, University of Pisa, Middle East Technical University, TU Braunschweig, CIRA, NASA, EADS, DLR, NRC Canada, Leonardo.