Optimal control : from variations to nanosatellites This book may serve as a basis for students and teachers. The text should provide the reader with a quick overview of the basics for Optimal Control and the link with some important conceptes of applied mathematical where an agent controls underlying dynamics to find the strategy optimizing some quantity. There are broad applications for optimal control across the natural and social sciences and the finale to this text is an invitation to read current research on one such application. The balance of the text will prepare the reader to gain a solid understanding of the current research they read.