Optimization Problems in Space Logistics

Seminar Title: Optimization Problems in Space Logistics

Speaker: Professor Jaemyung Ahn (KAIST)

Abstract: This seminar introduces optimization problems arising in Space Logistics for supporting various space missions. Three different transportation categories are discussed: 1) transportation between the planetary surface and orbit, 2) in-space transportation, and 3) transportation on the planetary surface. Mathematical formulations (highly complex Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming) to describe these problems and the challenges in solving them are presented. Solution procedures for effectively decomposing the problem into tractable subproblems and yielding near-optimal solutions are presented. Finally, potential extensions of the presented approach to deep-space missions are discussed.

Bio: Jaemyung Ahn is Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) located in Daejeon, South Korea. His research areas include Design/Optimization of Aerospace Systems and Missions, Complex System Analysis, and Flight Dynamics of Aerospace Vehicles. Before joining KAIST in 2010, he worked at Bain & Company (2008–2010) as a business strategy consultant and at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (1999–2004) as a rocket system engineer. Jaemyung is currently serving on the editorial boards of five journals. He earned his PhD from MIT (2008) and his MS/BS from Seoul National University (1997/1999).