Boris Benedikter, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering

Publications

For a complete and up-to-date list, please visit my Google Scholar profile.

Total Citations: 800+ h-index: 15

Selected Research by Theme

These papers illustrate contributions in model-based control and optimization, learning-enabled methods, and hybrid approaches. Expand a theme to view selected papers, or open the complete lists of journal articles and conference proceedings below.

Stochastic Optimal Control and Covariance Control

Convex Optimization and Maneuver Planning

Learning-Enabled and Hybrid Methods

Further work includes launch vehicle guidance, spacecraft rendezvous, and estimation and space domain awareness. See the Research page for connections between these contributions and current directions.

Complete Publication Lists

Journal Articles
    1. Garzelli, A., Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Suarez, A., and Ollero, A. (2027) Successive Convexification for 6-DoF Moon Landing Using Modified Rodrigues Parameters with Probabilistic Upper and Lower Thrust Bounds. Acta Astronautica , 251, 122–139. DOI
    2. Garzelli, A., Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Suarez Fernandez-Miranda, A., and Ollero Baturone, A. (2026) Gaussian Process-Based Covariance Control for Autonomous On-Orbit Servicing. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 49(5), 1317–1331. DOI
    3. Benedikter, B., Furfaro, R., Reddy, V., Campbell, T., and Gray, B. (2026) TRACER: A Robust and Autonomous Framework for Angles-Only Orbit Determination. Aerospace , 13(6). DOI
    4. Federici, L., Benedikter, B., and Furfaro, R. (2026) Reinforcement Learning Enhanced Model Predictive Control with Application to Autonomous Planetary Landing. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 49(3), 788–805. DOI
    5. Zavoli, A., Gettatelli, F., and Benedikter, B. (2026) Convex Approach to Optimal Spacecraft Attitude Reorientation with Keep-Out Constraints. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 49(2), 588–595. DOI
    6. Garzelli, A., Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Dios, J. R. Martínez de, Suarez, A., and Ollero, A. (2025) Stochastic Path Planning with Obstacle Avoidance for UAVs Using Covariance Control. Applied Sciences , 15(19). DOI
    7. D’Ambrosio, A., Benedikter, B., and Furfaro, R. (2025) Physics-Informed Pontryagin Neural Networks for Path-Constrained Optimal Control Problems. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 48(8), 1861–1877. DOI
    8. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Wang, Z., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2022) Convex Approach to Covariance Control with Application to Stochastic Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 45(11), 2061–2075. DOI
    9. Federici, L., Scorsoglio, A., Ghilardi, L., D’Ambrosio, A., Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., and Furfaro, R. (2022) Image-Based Meta-Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Guidance of an Asteroid Impactor. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 45(11), 2013–2028. DOI
    10. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Colasurdo, G., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2022) Convex Optimization of Launch Vehicle Ascent Trajectory with Heat-Flux and Splash-Down Constraints. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets , 59(3), 900–915. DOI
    11. Federici, L., Benedikter, B., and Zavoli, A. (2021) Deep Learning Techniques for Autonomous Spacecraft Guidance During Proximity Operations. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets , 58(6), 1774–1785. DOI
    12. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Colasurdo, G., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2021) Convex Approach to Three-Dimensional Launch Vehicle Ascent Trajectory Optimization. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics , 44(6), 1116–1131. DOI

Conference Proceedings
    1. Ramponi, L., Benedikter, B., D’Ambrosio, A., and Furfaro, R. (2026) Transformer-based Light Curve Inversion for Spacecraft Attitude Classification and Estimation from Photometric Data. Proceedings of the 2026 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference (AAS 26-719). URL
    2. Ramponi, L., Benedikter, B., D’Ambrosio, A., and Furfaro, R. (2026) PI-DeepONet for Attitude and Angular Velocity Estimation from Photometric Data. AI-driven Approaches for Space Applications: Challenges, Opportunities, and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 6th International Symposium on Dynamic Response and Failure of Composite Materials. URL
    3. D’Ambrosio, A., Benedikter, B., and Furfaro, R. (2025) Physics-Informed Pontryagin Neural Networks for Path-Constrained Optimal Control Problems. AIAA SCITECH Forum. DOI
    4. Benedikter, B., D’Ambrosio, A., Scorsoglio, A., Furfaro, R., and Vasile, M. (2025) Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Attitude Estimation from Light Curves. AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting. URL
    5. Federici, L., Benedikter, B., and Furfaro, R. (2025) Reinforcement Learning Enhanced Model Predictive Control for Autonomous Planetary Landing. AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting. URL
    6. Garzelli, A., Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Suarez Fernandez-Miranda, A., and Ollero Baturone, A. (2025) Gaussian Process-Based Covariance Control for Autonomous On-Orbit Servicing. AIAA SCITECH Forum. DOI
    7. Benedikter, B., D’Ambrosio, A., and Furfaro, R. (2025) Rocket Ascent Trajectory Optimization via Physics-Informed Pontryagin Neural Networks. AIAA SCITECH Forum. DOI
    8. Garzelli, A., Benedikter, B., Yadav, K. D., Suarez, A., and Ollero, A. (2024) Convex Optimization for Covariance Control in Rendezvous and Docking Operations. 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). DOI
    9. Benedikter, B., and Zavoli, A. (2024) Covariance Control of an Earth-to-Mars Transfer with Control Actuation Errors. International Conference on Optimization, Learning Algorithms and Applications (OL2A). DOI
    10. Zavoli, A., Gettatelli, F., and Benedikter, B. (2023) Convex Optimization of Spacecraft Rest-to-Rest Attitude Reorientation Maneuvers with Keep-Out Constraints. 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
    11. Gettatelli, F., Zavoli, A., Benedikter, B., and Furfaro, R. (2023) Stationkeeping of Earth-Moon L2 Libration Point Orbits via Optimal Covariance Control. AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference. URL
    12. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Wang, Z., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2023) Convex Approach to Covariance Control for Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization with Mass Uncertainty. AIAA SciTech Forum. DOI
    13. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Colasurdo, G., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2022) Stochastic Control of Launch Vehicle Upper Stage with Minimum-Variance Splash-Down. 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC). URL
    14. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Wang, Z., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2022) Convex Approach to Stochastic Control for Autonomous Rocket Pinpoint Landing. AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference. URL
    15. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Wang, Z., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2022) Covariance Control for Stochastic Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization. AIAA SciTech Forum. DOI
    16. Wu, Y., Wang, Z., Benedikter, B., and Zavoli, A. (2022) A Convex Approach to Multi-phase Trajectory Optimization of eVTOL Vehicles for Urban Air Mobility. AIAA SCITECH Forum. DOI
    17. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Colasurdo, G., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2021) Autonomous Upper Stage Guidance with Robust Splash-Down Constraint. 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC). URL
    18. Federici, L., Benedikter, B., and Zavoli, A. (2021) Machine Learning Techniques for Autonomous Spacecraft Guidance during Proximity Operations. AIAA Scitech Forum. DOI
    19. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Colasurdo, G., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2020) Autonomous Upper Stage Guidance Using Convex Optimization and Model Predictive Control. AIAA ASCEND. DOI
    20. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., Colasurdo, G., Pizzurro, S., and Cavallini, E. (2020) Convex Optimization of Launch Vehicle Ascent Trajectory with Heat-Flux and Splash-Down Constraints. AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference. URL
    21. Federici, L., Benedikter, B., and Zavoli, A. (2020) EOS: a parallel, self-adaptive, multi-population evolutionary algorithm for constrained global optimization. 2020 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC). DOI
    22. Zavoli, A., Federici, L., Benedikter, B., Colasurdo, G., and others (2019) Comparative analysis of genetic crossover operators for the optimization of impulsive multi-rendezvous trajectories. AIDAA XXV International Congress. URL
    23. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., and Colasurdo, G. (2019) A Convex Optimization Approach for Finite-Thrust Time-Constrained Cooperative Rendezvous. Advances in the Astronautical Sciences. URL
    24. Zavoli, A., Federici, L., Benedikter, B., Casalino, L., and Colasurdo, G. (2019) GTOC X: Solution Approach of Team Sapienza-PoliTo. AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference. URL
    25. Benedikter, B., Zavoli, A., and Colasurdo, G. (2019) A Convex Approach to Rocket Ascent Trajectory Optimization. 8th European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences (EUCASS). DOI