Matt Harris

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Graduate Program Director


Matt  Harris

Contact Information

Office Location: ENGR 419H
Phone: 435-797-9149
Email: matthew.harris@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Aerospace Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2014
Lossless Convexification of Optimal Control Problems
MS, Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2010
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2008

Awards

Faculty Researcher of the Year, 2025

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Graduate Student Mentor of the Year, 2023

College of Engineering

Graduate Student Mentor of the Year, 2023

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Teacher of the Year, 2020

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

AIAA JGCD Excellent Reviewer, 2024

AIAA

AIAA JGCD Excellent Reviewer, 2022

AIAA

Graduate Dean's Prestigious Fellowship Award, 2012

UT Austin

John V. Breakwell Travel Award, 2012

AIAA

M.J. Thompson Endowed Presidential Graduate Fellowship, 2012

UT Austin

NDSEG Fellow, 2010

American Society for Engineering Education

NSF Fellowship Honorable Mention, 2010

National Science Foundation

Phil Cleary Memorial Scholar, 2010

NASA JSC

Best Paper, 2009

Region IV AIAA Student Conference

Columbia Crew Memoral Scholar, 2009

Texas Space Grant Consortium

Craig C. Brown Outstanding Senior Engineer Semi-Finalist, 2008

Texas A&M


Publications | Books

  • Harris, M., Rose, B., (2023). Optimal Spacecraft Guidance. Utah State University Library *

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

  • Harris, M., Sarsılmaz, S.B, (2025). LMI-Based Design for Regional Fixed-Time Nonlinear Control with Settling Time and Control Constraints. Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Griffith, A., Harris, M., (2025). Efficient Techno-economic Optimization of Integrated Energy Systems using Bayesian Optimization. Energy
  • Moulton, B., Harris, M., Hunsaker, D., (2025). Stabilizing a Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage Fighter Aircraft in Multiple Trim Scenarios. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
  • Woodford, N., Harris, M., (2024). Lyapunov Functions and Region of Attraction for Spherically Constrained Relative Motion. Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Echigo, K., Hayner, , Mittal, , Sarsilmaz, , Harris, M., Acikmese, , (2023). Linear Programming Approach to Close-Proximity Operation with Element-wise Quantized Control. IEEE Control Systems Letters
  • Jansson, O., Harris, M., (2023). A Geometrical, Reachable Set Approach for Constrained Pursuit-Evasion Games with Multiple Pursuers and Evaders. Aerospace
  • Jansson, O., Harris, M., (2023). Convex Optimization-based Technique for Trajectory Design and Control of Constrained Nonlinear Systems. Aerospace
  • Woodford, N., Harris, M., (2023). Strong Observability of LTV Systems with Feedthrough and On-orbit Reconnaissance Applications. IEEE Control Systems Letters
  • Harris, M., Geller, D., Shuster, S., (2023). A Measure-driven Approach for Exact Solution of Gauss' Variational Equations under Impulse Control. IEEE Control Systems Letters
  • Harris, M., Jansson, O., (2023). A Technique for Nonlinear Control based on Second-order Cone Programming and Interpolation. ASME Letters on Dynamic Systems and Control
  • Woodford, N., Harris, M., (2023). Equilibria, Periodicity, and Chaotic Behavior in Spherically Constrained Relative Orbital Motion. Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Woodford, N., Harris, M., (2023). Spherically Constrained Relative Motion Trajectories in Low Earth Orbit. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
  • Kunhippurayil, S., Harris, M., (2022). Strong Observability as a Sufficient Condition for Non-singularity and Lossless Convexification in Optimal Control with Mixed Constraints. Control Theory and Technology
  • Woodford, N., Harris, M., (2022). Geometric Properties of Time Optimal Controls with State Constraints Using Strong Observability. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control
  • Kunhippurayil, S., Jansson, O., Harris, M., (2021). Lossless Convexification of Optimal Control Problems with Annular Control Constraints. Automatica
  • Shuster, S., Geller, D.K, Harris, M., (2021). An Analytic Maneuver Sequence for Safety Ellipse Reconfigurations Based on Relative Orbital Elements. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
  • Harris, M.W, (2021). Optimal Control on Disconnected Sets using Extreme Point Relaxations and Normality Approximations. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control
  • Shuster, S., Geller, D.K, Harris, M.W, (2020). Analytic Impulsive Maneuver Sequences for Nominal Safety Ellipse Reconfigurations. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
  • Harris, M.W, (2019). Abnormal and Singular Solutions for a Two-player Zero-sum Differential Game. Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications
  • Deuri, D., Acikmese, B., Scharf, D., Harris, M.W, (2017). Customized Real-time Interior-point Method for Onboard Powered Descent Guidance. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
  • Acikmese, B., Demir, N., Harris, M.W, (2015). Convex Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Density Safety Constraints in Markov Chain Synthesis. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control
  • Harris, M.W, Acikmese, B., (2014). Lossless Convexification of Non-convex Optimal Control Problems for State Constrained Linear Systems. Automatica
  • Harris, M.W, Acikmese, B.W, (2014). Maximum Divert and Soft Landing Using Convex Optimization. Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications
  • Harris, M.W, Acikmese, B., (2014). Minimum Time Rendezvous of Multiple Spacecraft Using Differential Drag. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
  • Hull, D.G, Harris, M.W, (2012). Optimal Solutions for Quasi-planar Ascent over a Spherical Moon. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Other

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Teaching

ECE, MAE 6570, 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Fall 2025
ECE, MAE 6570, 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Fall 2025
ECE, MAE 6570, 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2025
ECE, MAE 6570, 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2025
MAE 7540 - Advanced Astrodynamics Techniques and Applications, Fall 2024
MAE 5560 - Dynamics of Space Flight, Fall 2024
MAE 5560 - Dynamics of Space Flight, Fall 2024
ECE, MAE 7330, 7330 - Nonlinear and Adaptive Control, Spring 2024
ECE, MAE 7330 - Nonlinear and Adaptive Control, Spring 2024
ECE, MAE 6570, 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2024
ECE, MAE 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2024
MAE 5560 - Dynamics of Space Flight, Fall 2023
ECE, MAE 6570, 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2023
MAE 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2023
MAE 7540 - Advanced Astrodynamics Techniques and Applications, Fall 2022
MAE 5560 - Dynamics of Space Flight, Fall 2022
ECE, MAE 7330 - Nonlinear and Adaptive Control, Spring 2022
ECE, MAE 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2022
MAE 5560 - Dynamics of Space Flight, Fall 2021
MAE 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2021
MAE 7540 - Advanced Astrodynamics Techniques and Applications, Fall 2020
MAE 5370 - Optimization for Engineers, Fall 2020
MAE 6570 - Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Spring 2020
MAE 5930 - Special Problems, Fall 2019

Graduate Students Mentored

Logan Lancaster, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, May 2025
Kurt Olsen, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, January 2025
Spencer Kimball, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, December 2024
Jondavid Hertzel, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, August 2021
Tyler Gardner, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, May 2023 - July 2025
Benjamin Moulton, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, April 2022 - June 2025
John Akagi, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, August 2019 - August 2024
Anthoney Griffith, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, November 2021 - May 2024
Nathan Woodford, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, August 2020 - May 2023
Olli Jansson, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, August 2019 - May 2023
Sheril Kunnippurayil, Mechanical & Aerospace Engr, August 2019 - May 2021