Belinda Marchand
Assistant Professor
Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
Phone: (512) 471- 7034
Email: marchand@mail.utexas.edu
Dr. Belinda Marchand earned her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Purdue University in 2004. She joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin in 2005.
Dr. Marchand seeks to discover solutions to various problems in aerospace engineering by using dynamical systems theory, a mathematical technique used to characterize the solutions to complex systems described by differential equations. She also researches nonlinear control methods, engineering techniques for dealing with control of non-linear systems. Recent work, in support of NASA’s formation flight initiative, focuses on the control of space-based formations near the Sun-Earth-Moon libration points. These are points in space where it is possible for objects to remain stationary with respect to other gravitational bodies. In years past, Marchand was also actively involved in trajectory redesign efforts for NASA’s Genesis mission, and station-keeping analyses for the James Webb Space Telescope.
Research interests:
- Applications of dynamical systems theory in aerospace engineering
- Nonlinear control methods for spacecraft trajectory optimization
- Libration point mission design
- Spacecraft design, control, navigation and dynamics