Research

— and computational. I also work on aerospace systems design and development.

I currently advise IULI undergraduate students on:

• Astrodynamics
• Aerospace dynamics and control (satellite, aircraft, rocket)
• Satellite-based ADS-B for air-traffic monitoring and surveillance
• Aircraft design
• Aerospace embedded systems

Seed flight dynamics

• Dandelion (Taraxacum) — a bristled pappus that holds a detached, stable vortex ring in its wake.
• Javan cucumber (Alsomitra macrocarpa) — a membranous tailless glider, and a long-standing reference case for passive longitudinal stability.
• Meranti (Rubroshorea leprosula) — a winged dipterocarp fruit that autorotates as it descends.

Past collaboration

• FPGA-based flight control computer with ORPA–BRIN, aimed at Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAVs.

Student thesis

Collaborative work with former students through thesis advising — typically not published as formal papers — is documented on the Members page.

Open-source tools

We prefer free and open-source tools wherever they meet the workflow.

Computation

• NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib — general scientific computing.
• Scilab — control-system simulation.

Aerospace engineering

• Aviary and SUAVE — conceptual aircraft design and mission analysis.
• XFLR5 — preliminary stability analysis of aircraft configurations.
• OpenVSP — 3D parametric aircraft models for engineering analysis.
• OpenFOAM — CFD, in collaboration with Dr. Eng. Ressa Octavianty.
• Digital DATCOM — static stability, high-lift and control, and dynamic-derivative characteristics.
• Arduino and Raspberry Pi for embedded systems.

Writing and bibliography

• LaTeX for manuscripts and slides (including Beamer).
• Zotero for bibliography management.
• Inkscape for vector graphics.

Operating environment

• Ubuntu for daily work.
• Git and GitLab for version control.
• Editors: Emacs, VS Code, or TeXstudio (for LaTeX).

For CAD we use Onshape — open-source alternatives have not yet reached the workflows we need.

Publications

1. Octavianty, R., Shah Jahan, F., & Simanjuntak, T. (2026). Open conceptual design of a multi-mission tactical quadcopter using COTS components. Advances in Military Technology, 21(1), 247–261. https://doi.org/10.3849/aimt.02011 [bib]
2. Simanjuntak, T., Nasution, M. R. E., & Favian, E. (2025). Probabilistic crash site prediction model using ADS-B data and Monte Carlo simulation. To Appear. [bib]
3. Indarto, M. V., & Simanjuntak, T. (2025). Evaluating the impact of CRM training on Indonesian aviation — a case study. In Review Indonesian Journal of Aerospace (IJoA). [bib]
4. Kusuma, A. F. U., Simanjuntak, T., & Akhyarsi, O. (2025). Quality-indicator compliance across the Jakarta FIR fleet: A 2020 baseline from a low-cost ADS-B receiver. Submitted to Indonesian Journal of Aerospace (IJoA). [bib]
5. Isnaini, I., Agung Kusuma, F., & Simanjuntak, T. (2022). Design of quadcopter for radiation monitoring in nuclear region. ICONSTA 2022 in Conjunction with HIMNI Annual Meeting Proceedings. [bib]
6. Setyantoro, G. H., & Simanjuntak, T. (2020). Preliminary constellation design and analysis of LEO microsatellites for air-traffic monitoring and surveillance in Indonesia. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2226(1), 060001. [bib]
7. Fadilah, D. N., Gunawan, D., & Simanjuntak, T. (2020). Studi penggunaan data Automatic Identification System (AIS) untuk pengawasan kawasan maritim Indonesia. Teknologi Penginderaan, 1(2). [bib]
8. Herjuna, D., Siahaan, T., & Simanjuntak, T. (2019). Desain kendaraan militer dengan pendekatan system engineering. Teknologi Persenjataan, 1(2). [bib]
9. Simanjuntak, T., Nakamiya, M., & Kawakatsu, Y. (2012). Design of natural loose formation flying around halo orbits. Transactions of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 55(4), 254–262. [bib]
10. Simanjuntak, T., Nakamiya, M., & Kawakatsu, Y. (2011). Natural loose formation flying around halo orbits. Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, 140 (AAS 11-264). [bib]
11. Simanjuntak, T., Nakamiya, M., & Kawakatsu, Y. (2010). Mission design for Jupiter Trojans rendezvous mission. Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, 136 (AAS 10-246). [bib]
12. Simanjuntak, T., Nakamiya, M., & Kawakatsu, Y. (2009). Jupiter Trojans rendezvous mission design. 20th JAXA Workshop on Astrodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Kanagawa, Japan. [bib]
13. Simanjuntak, T., Nakamiya, M., & Kawakatsu, Y. (2009). Design of loose formation flying in the vicinity of halo orbits based on initial set values. 20th JAXA Workshop on Astrodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Kanagawa, Japan. [bib]
14. Simanjuntak, T., Nakamiya, M., & Kawakatsu, Y. (2009). Feedforward control with proximity feedback for sailcraft formation flying near the L2 point. 19th JAXA Workshop on Astrodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Kanagawa, Japan. [bib]
15. Simanjuntak, T., Kawaguchi, J., & Morimoto, M. Y. (2008). Control strategies of formation flying using solar sail in the vicinity of collinear points. 59th International Astronautical Congress, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. [bib]
16. Simanjuntak, T., Kawaguchi, J., & Morimoto, M. Y. (2008). Formation control of sailcraft around collinear Lagrangian points. 18th JAXA Workshop on Astrodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Kanagawa, Japan. [bib]
17. Simanjuntak, T., Kawaguchi, J., & Morimoto, M. Y. (2008). Control of satellite formation flying around collinear libration points. 26th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, Hamamatsu, Japan. [bib]
18. Simanjuntak, T., Kawaguchi, J., Morimoto, M. Y., Tsuda, Y., & Sawada, H. (2007). Preliminary study on control of satellite formation flying around the L2 point using solar-sail propulsion. 50th Japan Automatic Control Conference, Keio University, Japan. [bib]
19. Simanjuntak, T., Kawaguchi, J., Morimoto, M. Y., Tsuda, Y., & Sawada, H. (2007). Preliminary study on satellite formation flying control around the L2 point using solar-sail propulsion. 17th JAXA Workshop on Astrodynamics and Flight Mechanics, Kanagawa, Japan. [bib]