Welcome to AIM Lab
The AeroAstro Intelligent Mechanics Lab (AIM Lab) at New Mexico State University specializes in astrodynamics, space mission design, space navigation, spacecraft GNC, and physics-informed machine learning.
Prof. Sungmoon Choi
Assistant Professor & Director of AIM Lab
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering | New Mexico State University
🎓 Educational Background
- Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering (Minor: Computer Science) — Iowa State University, 2026.05
- M.S., Aerospace Engineering — Iowa State University, 2025.12
- M.S., Astronomy — Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, 2020.02
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering — Pusan National University, Busan, Korea, 2016.08
🏛️ Experience Highlights
Former Research Intern — NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA (2023.06 – 2025.12)
Lab Overview
The AeroAstro Intelligent Mechanics Lab (AIM Lab) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is led by Prof. Sungmoon Choi. Our laboratory focuses on pioneering theoretical, computational, and algorithmic frameworks for next-generation space exploration and autonomous aerospace systems.
By combining celestial mechanics with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, machine learning, and optimization techniques, AIM Lab addresses challenging open problems in deep-space flight mechanics, trajectory design, space navigation, and multidisciplinary space system engineering.
The research interests of AIM Lab are not limited to astrodynamics or orbital mechanics, but span overall aerospace systems and machine learning. In addition, our work encompasses not only algorithmic or simulation development, but also fundamental mathematical foundations, theory, and beyond.
Core Research Interests
Explore Projects →- Astrodynamics & Celestial Mechanics: Multi-body orbital dynamics and chaotic motion.
- Space Mission Design & Trajectory Optimization: Interplanetary trajectory design, gravity-assist sequencing, moon tour problems, and aerobraking.
- Orbit Determination & Deep-Space Navigation: Angles-only optical navigation, initial orbit determination, state estimation, and autonomous spacecraft navigation.
- Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC): Real-time trajectory generation, robust feedback control, and autonomous maneuver planning.
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Reinforcement Learning, Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), Extreme Theory of Functional Connections (XTFC), Diffusion Models, and deep learning approximations for orbital mechanics problems.
🚀 Prospective Students & Visiting Scholars
AIM Lab is actively looking for motivated Ph.D., M.S., and Undergraduate research students who are passionate about astrodynamics, space mission design, space navigation, and AI/ML applications in aerospace engineering.
Applicants are expected to have a strong background in astrodynamics or a strong mathematical foundation. Additional background in applied mathematics, machine learning, or related engineering disciplines, along with proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Julia), is highly desirable.
Research Collaboration Opportunities with NASA JPL:
Graduate students in AIM Lab may have opportunities to conduct collaborative research with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), depending on research performance, project alignment, and academic progress.
How to Apply for Prospective Students:
If you are interested in joining AIM Lab, please send an email to sungmoon[at]nmsu.edu with the subject line "[Prospective Student] Your Name - Program (Ph.D./M.S./Undergrad)" including:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial Academic Transcripts
- A brief statement describing your research interests and background
Undergraduate students should also include:
- Current year and expected graduation date
- Semesters available for research
- Estimated weekly time commitment
- Research areas of interest (e.g., trajectory design, navigation, control, AI/ML)
- Future graduate study interests (M.S. or Ph.D.), if applicable
🤝 Visiting Scholars & Postdoctoral Researchers:
AIM Lab warmly welcomes visiting scholars, sabbatical faculty, visiting Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral researchers who wish to conduct collaborative research in astrodynamics, space mission design, space navigation, and aerospace AI/ML applications. If you are interested in visiting or joint research collaborations, please contact Prof. Sungmoon Choi (sungmoon[at]nmsu.edu) with your CV.
📰 Latest News
View All News & Photos →- [2026.08] Prof. Sungmoon Choi joins NMSU MAE Department as Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) and establishes the AIM Lab!
- [2026.07] Andrew Yi (University at Buffalo) participated in the Launch-Space Program at Iowa State University, advised by Prof. Simone Servadio (SPACE Lab) and co-mentored by Prof. Sungmoon Choi (AIM Lab). He successfully presented his research poster at the EUReCA Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase! 👏
- [2026.06] New paper titled "Vectorized dynamic-size genetic algorithm for rapid generation of optimal and suboptimal flyby sequences" published in Astrodynamics.
- [2026.05] Congratulations to Mingeun Park & Ethan Griesman! 🎓 Lab members Mingeun Park (B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Meteorology) and Ethan Griesman (B.S. in Computer Engineering) earned their degrees from Iowa State University!