KOTA KONDO
362 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA, 02139
kkondo@mit.edu
EDUCATION
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Master Program, Aerospace Controls Laboratory
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
Summer Session, DWARF Satellite Project at the Space Rendezvous Laboratory
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Exchange Program at the Department of Aerospace Engineering
Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

June 2021 - Present
GPA 4.8/5.0
June 2020 - Aug. 2020

Aug. 2019 - May 2020
Major GPA 4.0/4.0, Overall GPA 4.0/4.0
Apr. 2016 - Sep. 2020
Major GPA 3.80/4.0, Overall GPA 3.82/4.0

RESEARCH
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Prof. Jonathan How
Multiagent trajectory planning, funded by Boeing Research & Technology

June 2021 - Present

1. Developed multiagent trajectory planner that is robust to communication delay
2. Implemented imitation Learning-based trajectory generation for multiagnet trajectory planner
Stanford University, Assoc. Prof. Simone D’Amico
The DWARF Satellite Project, Attitude Dynamics and Control System (ADCS)

June 2020 - Apr. 2021

1. Building attitude and orbital simulator on C++/MATLAB Simulink; test DWARF’s rotational dynamics
2. Developing C++ codes related to attitude dynamics in S 3 , Space Rendezvous Laboratory (SLAB) multiSatellite Simulator
University of Michigan and Kyushu University, Prof. Ilya Kolmanovsky and Prof. Toshiya Hanada
Detumbling of under-actuated Satellites with Model Predictive Control (MPC)
Mar. 2020 - Mar. 2021
1. Using MATLAB, demonstrated detumbling under-actuated small satellites, which only employ single-axis
magnetic torquer
2. Researched detailed Nonlinear MPC design, controllability, closed-loop stability, and demonstrated feasibility through simulation results
University of Michigan, Prof. Ella Atkins
Explicit Model Predictive Control Applied to Keep-in Geofencing in Low Altitude

Jan. 2020 - Mar. 2021

1. Developed Explicit MPC (EMPC) controller on quadcopter and implemented MATLAB-based simulations
2. Demonstrated ”Home-return” trajectory controlled by EMPC within geofencing airspace, and demonstrated
controller’s robustness as well as limitations
University of Michigan, Assoc. Prof. James W. Cutler
Satellite Attitude Estimation Using Pyranometers

Sep. 2019 - May 2020

1. Set up data acquisition environments; analyzed data gained by both single-axis and three-axis sun sensor
2. Developed methods to estimate sun direction; evaluated light source irradiance
PUBLICATIONSJournal Papers
Kondo, K., Figueroa, R., Rached, J., Tordesillas, J., Lusk, P., How, J., Robust MADER: Decentralized
Multiagent Trajectory Planner Robust to Communication Delay in Dynamic Environments, IEEE Robotics
and Automation Letters, doi: 10.1109/LRA.2023.3342561

Kondo, K., Kolmanovsky, I., Yoshimura, Y., Bando, M., Nagasaki, S., Hanada, T., Nonlinear Model Predictive Detumbling of Small Satellites with a Single-axis Magnetic Actuator, Journal of Guidance, Control,and Dynamics, Vol. 44, No. 6 (2021), pp. 1211-1218 doi: doi/abs/10.2514/1.G005877
Conference Papers
Kondo K., Tagliabue A.∗ , Cai X.∗ , Tewari C., Garcia O., Espitia-Alvarez M., How J.∗ , ”CGD: ConstraintGuided Diffusion Policies for UAV Trajectory Planning,” submitted to 2024 IEEE CDC. ∗ equal contributions.
Tagliabue A.∗ , Kondo K.∗ , Zhao T.∗ , Peterson M.∗ , Tewari C.∗ , How J.∗ , ”REAL: Resilience and Adaptation using Large Language Models on Autonomous Aerial Robots,” accepted to 2024 IEEE CDC. ∗ equalcontributions.
Kinnari, J.∗ , Thomas, A.∗ , Lusk, P., Kondo, K., How, J., SOS-MATCH: Segmentation for Open-Set SLAMin Unstructured Environments, accepted to 2024 IEEE IROS
Kondo K., Tewari C., Peterson M., Thomas A., Kinnari J., Tagliabue A., How J.∗ , ”PUMA: Fully Decentralized Uncertainty-aware Multiagent Trajectory Planner with Real-time Image Segmentation-based
Frame Alignment,” accepted to 2024 IEEE ICRA.
Kondo, K., Tordesillas J., Figueroa R., Rached J., Merkel J., Lusk P., How J., Robust MADER: Decentralized and Asynchronous Multiagent Trajectory Planner Robust to Communication Delay, 2023 IEEE
ICRA, London, UK, 2023.
Kondo, K., Yoshimura, Y., Nagasaki, S., Hanada, T., Pulse Width Modulation Method Applied to Nonlinear Model Predictive Control on an Under-actuated Small Satellite, 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum, Nashville,
US, 2021.
Kondo, K., Yoshimura, Y., Bando M., Nagasaki, S., Hanada, T., Model Predictive Approach for Detumblingan Underactuated Satellite 2020 AIAA SciTech Forum, Florida, US, 2020.
Kondo, K., Yoshimura, Y., Bando M., Nagasaki, S., Hanada, T.,Detumbling with Model Predictive Control for an Underactuated Small Satellite, AIAA Region VII Australia/International Student Conference,Australia, 2019.
Conference Posters
Kondo, K., Tewari C., Tagliabue A., Tordesillas J., Lusk P., How J., ”PRIMER: Perception-Aware Robust
Learning-based Multiagent Trajectory Planner,” 2023 IEEE ICRA, UK, 2023.
Kondo, K., Figueroa, R., Rached, J., Tordesillas, J., Lusk, P., How, J., Robust MADER: Decentralized
Multiagent Trajectory Planner Robust to Communication Delay in Dynamic Environments, Won Best
Poster Award at ICRA 2023 CAMRS Workshop.
Kondo, K., Yoshimura, Y., Bando M., Nagasaki, S., Hanada, T., Detumbling of Small Satellites witha Single-Axis Magnetorquer Proceedings of 63th Space Sciences and Technology Conference, Tokushima,Japan, 2019.
ADDITIONAL
Astark Robotics Co-founderJan. 2024 - Present

1. Developing fully autonomous multiagent UAV systems for search and rescue operations in disaster recovery.
US-Japan Council TOMODACHI New England Core CommitteeAug. 2023 - Present

1. Organizing networking events and helping form a community in the New England region to strengthen theUS-Japan relationship
The Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences Journal, Student Editor
Apr. 2020 - Mar. 2022
1. Interviewed entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, and professors in aerospace and aeronautical industry
2. Edited and published articles on advanced aerospace technologies in JSASS journals
Q-Li Project, 3U Satellite Developing Team, ADCS team leader

Oct. 2017 - May 2021

1. Developing under-actuated ADCS; studied algorithms to control Q-Li's attitude in low earth orbits; built
MATLAB-based simulator to propagate orbital and rotational dynamics
2. Made presentation and awarded by the Astronomical Society of Japan at the 26th Satellite Design Contest
3. Raised about $52,000 from crowdfunding and Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Global Scholars Program (GSP) at University of Michigan

Aug. 2019 - May. 2020

1. GSP is an academic living-learning community that provides students with opportunities to engage withU.S., international and students on campus.
2. learned about global issues: such as nationalism, human rights, and environmental ethics, from multiculturalperspectives.
Apne Aap Women’s Collective InternshipAug. 2019 - Apr. 2020

1. Assisted in creating materials that would support to provide caring and supportive platform to help women,girls and children in challenged communities in India make choices for a dignified and better quality life.
U.S.-Japan Council, TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Leader

Mar. 2018 - Mar. 2019

1. TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership for Japans recovery from the Great East Japan
Earthquake.
2. Organized two events, including event with Julie Chung, former Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs
at the U.S. Department of State, and Vanessa Zenji, Consul for Public Affairs at the U.S. Consulate inFukuoka.
The 6th Asia-Pacific Space Generation Workshop Organizing Team

June 2019 - Nov. 2019

1. AP-SGW 2019 is workshop for students and young professionals to discuss international space exploration.
2. Collaborated with Space Generation Advisory Council and organized workshop for 100 participants.
Study For Two

Sep. 2016 - Apr. 2018

1. Study for two is a non-profitable student group to support children in developing countries.
2. Collected used books to make donations to developing nations.
U.S. Embassy-Keio SFC-TOMODACHI Entrepreneurship Seminar

May. 2017 - Mar. 2018

Learned about entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills.
Played leadership position and worked to put our business idea into reality.
Selected one of the top 3 teams in business competition and invited to the US entrepreneurship tour.
Entrepreneurship Committee, Kyushu UniversityMay. 2017 - Mar. 2018

Planned and organized a lecture on entrepreneurship, especially focused on Artificial Intelligent and Machine
Learning.
SKILLS
Proficient in MATLAB, Python, C++, LaTex, ROS, ROS2, Gazebo; Experience in Julia, C, SQL, FORTRANHONORS
Recruit Scholarship

Apr. 2022

Funded three full years of tuition, living stipend, insurance costs, and travel for graduate studies
Funai Overseas Scholarship

Nov. 2020

Funded two full years of tuition, living stipend, insurance costs, and travel for graduate studies
The James H.M. Sprayregen Scholarship at University of Michigan

Dec. 2019

Financially supported to attend Aerospace conferences in Florida, Japan, and Australia
U.S. - Japan Council TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship

Apr. 2019

Endowed $18,000 based on academic achievement to study at University of Michigan
International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading Foundation Scholarship

Jan. 2019

Funded a one-year tuition senior year for academic excellence in aeronautics and aerospace engineering
Chiyoda Foundation Scholarship

Sept. 2018

Endowed $250 per month to prepare and apply to graduate programs in the United States.
Yamakawa Prize (President’s Award), Kyushu University

Aug. 2017

Awarded excellent academic record and acts for humanity, sociability, and internationality
Dean’s Award (Top 2% freshman GPA), Kyushu University

July 2017