Ping Lu

Prof. Ping Lu is the Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at San Diego State University (SDSU), College of Engineering. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on advanced guidance systems, autonomous trajectory planning, flight control, and flight mechanics, with applications to space transportation systems like the X-33, Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, and Mars missions. Prof. Lu has contributed to major programs such as the Evolvable Mars Campaign and has pioneered algorithms for propellant-optimal guidance and trajectory optimization.

His awards include the NASA Director’s Innovation Group Achievement Award (2016) and AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award (2008). Research highlights include model predictive guidance algorithms, six-degree-of-freedom rocket landing optimization, and fuel-optimal strategies for Mars and lunar missions. His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical aerospace applications, emphasizing real-world feasibility through convex optimization and numerical methods.

Key contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent trends focusing on end-to-end trajectory optimization from entry to powered descent, asteroid landing trajectory design, and robust abort protocols. He leads SDSU’s aerospace systems research, collaborating on cutting-edge projects like the Pterodactyl entry vehicle and fractional-polynomial guidance frameworks.