collaborators

5 papers

math.OC2026

Relative Entropy-Bounded Ambiguous Chance Constraints for Robust Planning in Nonlinear Systems

Trevor N. Wolf, Jay W. McMahon

We consider defining risk probability in stochastic control problems under distribution ambiguity. Current approaches for chance-constrained control typically assume that the true…

cs.RO2026

Approximate Relative Entropy Constraints for Nonlinear Covariance Steering Under Distribution Ambiguity

Trevor N. Wolf, Jay W. McMahon

Covariance steering provides an efficient framework for designing linear stochastic feedback policies, but its extension to nonlinear systems relies on a Gaussian surrogate obtaine…

eess.SY2026

Improved Directional State Transition Tensors for Accurate Aerocapture Performance Analysis

Grace E. Calkins, Jay W. McMahon, David C. Woffinden

Aerocapture is particularly challenging for semi-analytical propagation because the dynamics are dominated by nonconservative forces whose magnitudes vary significantly throughout…

eess.SY2026

Risk-Aware Aerocapture Guidance Through a Probabilistic Indicator Function

Grace E. Calkins, Jay W. McMahon, Alireza Doostan +1

Aerocapture is sensitive to trajectory errors, particularly for low-cost missions with imprecise navigation. For such missions, considering the probability of each failure mode whe…

eess.SY2025

Optimal Rank-1 Directional State Transition Tensors

Grace E. Calkins, Jay W. McMahon, Jackson Kulik

An optimal rank-1 approximation of state transition tensors was developed as an efficient alternative to state transition tensors for nonlinear uncertainty quantification. While pr…