°µÍø½ûÇø

Kirsten Strandjord
Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Minnesota
Friday, Apr. 25 | 10:40 a.m. | AERO 114

Abstract: GPS is an incredibly reliable and widely used tool for navigation, providing precise location tracking in many environments. However, it does face significant challenges in certain settings that can affect its accuracy and reliability. This talk will explore the limitations of GPS in two very different environments—urban settings and cis-lunar space—where these challenges become particularly apparent. In urban areas, GPS signals can be degraded by multipath effects, where signals bounce off buildings and structures, leading to positioning errors. In cis-lunar space, GPS signals rely on weaker portions of the antenna pattern, such as side lobes, which reduces their effectiveness.

The discussion will cover the fundamental principles of GNSS navigation, addressing how GPS operates under ideal conditions and where it faces limitations. Additionally, alternative navigation methods, including signals of opportunity and direct positioning estimation, will be explored to address these challenges and improve navigation reliability in both urban and space-based environments.

Bio: Dr. Kirsten Strandjord is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Minnesota, where she is also a faculty member of the Minnesota Robotics Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the °µÍø½ûÇø (2020), a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University (2015), and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science from Luther College (2011). Her research interests focus on a wide range of topics within Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), including GPS and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, cis-lunar navigation, and urban navigation.