Camilo A. Riano-Rios

Dr. Camilo A. Riano-Rios is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences at Florida Institute of Technology's College of Engineering and Science, where he leads the Space Vehicle Robotics (SVR) laboratory. His research focuses on developing robust Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms for space applications using nonlinear adaptive control and machine learning techniques.

His educational background includes a M.S./Ph.D. in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, a M.S. in Project Management from Universidad EAN (Colombia), and a B.S./M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering from Universidad Militar Nueva Granada (Colombia).

Dr. Riano-Rios's research integrates spacecraft dynamics, adaptive control theory, and robotics with applications in spacecraft formation flying, orbital debris removal, and CubeSat technologies. His work emphasizes hardware-in-the-loop validation using advanced testbeds including Florida Tech's Helmholtz cage and spherical air bearing systems.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong focus on: adaptive control strategies for spacecraft attitude/orbital control, machine learning applications in multi-agent space systems, propellant-less maneuvering techniques, and robust algorithms for uncertain space environments. The research consistently bridges theoretical control frameworks with practical spacecraft implementation challenges.

He currently advises one Ph.D. student (Morokot Sakal) and four undergraduate researchers (Ishaben Trada, Zuleyka Priscila Figueroa Pineda, Kian Jamal, Cole Schumacher). The SVR lab maintains active projects including post-capture attitude control of space debris, fault-tolerant actuator systems, and development of a 3-DOF attitude testbed for experimental validation of GNC algorithms.