Matt Harris
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Graduate Program Director

Contact Information
Office Location: ENGR 419HPhone: 435-797-9149
Email: matthew.harris@usu.edu
Additional Information:
Educational Background
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An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.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.