Authors on Dr Yang Yang

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Rameez A. Malik is a PhD student in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UNSW Sydney, specialising in lunar navigation system design and optimisation. His research focuses on developing comprehensive frameworks for lunar navigation satellite systems (LNSS) with enhanced performance in critical regions such as the lunar south pole.

His work involves advanced constellation optimisation techniques, semi-analytical station-keeping models, and integration with Earth-based GPS systems for robust time synchronisation and accurate ephemeris generation. Rameez brings valuable experience in space flight dynamics and space operations, contributing to the advancement of cislunar space navigation capabilities.

His recent publication in Acta Astronautica demonstrates his expertise in multi-objective optimisation for space systems and his commitment to advancing lunar exploration technologies.

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Enbai Ji is a recent MPhil graduate from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UNSW Sydney. His research focused on developing autonomous orbit determination frameworks for lunar navigation satellites, contributing to the advancement of cislunar positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) infrastructure.

Master’s Thesis

Title: Autonomous Orbit Determination of Lunar Navigation Satellites Based on Inter–Satellite Links

Abstract: To support a future lunar navigation satellite system, this study proposes and validates an inter–satellite link (ISL)–centric framework for autonomous orbit determination. The simulation employs one–way range and range–rate satellite–to–satellite tracking (SST) between relay satellites in distant retrograde orbits (DROs) and navigation satellites in elliptical lunar frozen orbits (ELFOs), with a customised unscented Kalman filter that estimates their orbital and clock states without direct ground support to the navigation satellite.

Performance is assessed under both a simplified circular restricted three–body problem (CR3BP) model and a high–fidelity dynamic model; first–order uncertainty from the relay satellite is introduced in the filter to improve its adaptability, robustness, consistency and hence overall estimation performance. Monte Carlo method and NEES/NIS checks are conducted for validations.

In the CR3BP case, three evenly phased DRO relays substantially accelerate convergence and improve accuracy; the navigation satellite attains ~11 m 3–D position and 1.58 mm/s velocity accuracy, with position performance reaching that of the relays. In the high–fidelity case, two scenarios are examined: (i) a 2–day initial ground–tracking handover followed by SST only, and (ii) SST–only throughout, showing that the handover strategy expedites convergence and stabilises estimation, yielding ~1 km 3–D position and 10 mm/s velocity accuracy for the navigation satellite.

Sensitivity analyses highlight the roles of measurement baseline, update interval, and filter tuning. Overall, the approach is feasible and scalable, laying groundwork for a resilient, autonomous cislunar positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) infrastructure and related deep–space missions.

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ruoyan Zhao is an MPhil candidate in Mechanical Engineering at UNSW, currently developing reduced-order thermospheric density models to improve prediction of LEO object reentry trajectory and lifetime. The ongoing work integrates Starlink ephemeris data with an Unscented Kalman Filter, comparing linear (POD + DMDc) and nonlinear (Diffusion Map + m-PCE) models based on JB2008, NRLMSIS 2.1, and DTM2020 for faster, more accurate satellite-tracking and space-traffic management.

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 13:30:00 +1100

I am a Senior Lecturer in Space Engineering at UNSW Sydney. My research advances astrodynamics, space navigation, orbit determination, and space situational awareness to support safer, more sustainable space operations.

I develop estimation and tracking methods for space systems, lead collaborations in space domain awareness, and educate the next generation of space engineers. I also lead the AUStronauts Vertically Integrated Project team developing a 3U CubeSat with an electrodynamic tether for space-weather applications.

Et Al.

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Michael Ling

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Yang Yang

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000