Research

My publications are available ResearchGate and Google Scholar, though they may not always be up-to-date.

Journal Publications

• Ojeda Romero, J., Schlei, W., Whipps, G., LaFarge, N. B., Fritsch, G., Phillips, S., “An Adaptive Approach to the Initial Orbit Determination Problem in the Cislunar Regime Using Machine Learning,” The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 72, Article 45, Sep. 2025, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40295-025-00525-3.
• LaFarge, N. B., Howell, K. C., and Folta, D. C., “Adaptive Closed-Loop Maneuver Planning for Low-Thrust Spacecraft using Reinforcement Learning,” Acta Astronautica, Vol. 211, Oct. 2023, pg. 142 - 154, DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s40295-025-00525-3.
• LaFarge, N. B., Miller, D., Howell, K. C., and Linares, R., “Autonomous Closed-Loop Guidance Using Reinforcement Learning in a Low-Thrust, Multi-Body Dynamical Environment,” Acta Astronautica, Vol. 186, Sep. 2021, pg. 1 - 23, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.05.014.

Conference Publications

• Ojeda Romero, J., Schlei, W., Whipps, G., LaFarge, N. B., Fritsch, G., Phillips, S., “An Adaptive Approach to the Initial Orbit Determination Problem in the Cislunar Regime Using Machine Learning”, 2024 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference, Maui, Hawaii, September 17 - 20, 2024.
• LaFarge, N. B., Howell, K. C., and Folta, D. C., “Adaptive Closed-Loop Maneuver Planning for Low-Thrust Spacecraft using Reinforcement Learning”, 73rd International Astronautical Congress, Paris, France, September 18 - 22, 2022.
• LaFarge, N. B., Howell, K. C., and Folta, D. C., “An Autonomous Stationkeeping Strategy for Multi-Body Orbits Leveraging Reinforcement Learning”, AIAA SciTech Forum, San Diego, California, January 3 - 7, 2022.
• LaFarge, N. B., Howell, K. C., and Linares, R., “A Hybrid Closed-Loop Guidance Strategy for Low-Thrust Spacecraft Enabled by Neural Networks”, 31st AAS/AIAA Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, Charlotte, North Carolina (Virtual), February 1 - 3, 2021.
• LaFarge, N. B., Miller, D., Howell, K. C., and Linares, R., “Guidance for Closed-Loop Transfers using Reinforcement Learning with Application to Libration Point Orbits”, AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, Florida, January 6 - 10, 2020.

Theses

• LaFarge, N. B., Reinforcement Learning Approaches for Autonomous Guidance and Control in a Low-Thrust, Multi-Body Dynamical Environment, Ph.D. Dissertation, Purdue University, 2023.
• LaFarge, N. B., Autonomous Guidance for Multi-Body Orbit Transfers Using Reinforcement Learning, M.S. Thesis, Purdue University, 2020.