Machine Learning Applications in Solar System Exploration

About the role

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Description

Recent years have witnessed an exponential growth in the use and capabilities of artificial intelligence across all areas of science and technology. However, the deployment of artificial intelligence in the space environment has lagged other applications, due in part to the more limited access to space, the need for extreme environment testing and the greater cost and recovery time from failures. For these reasons, most spacecraft operations so far have relied on human in-the-loop. However, the opportunities and advantages for AI deployment are very significant, including the ability for fleets of numerous small satellites or other probes to operate and interact autonomously, and the avoidance of round-trip light travel delay during decision making for more distant spacecraft. Prior to such rollout, modeling, assessment and evaluation must be carefully completed before deployment to space. To this end, it is advantageous to simulate autonomous operations, including assessment of prior spacecraft data. In this project, the postdoctoral researcher will work with NASA scientists and engineers to develop AI systems for autonomous operation of instrument and spacecraft suites. This will include fuller understanding of prior spacecraft operations to assess and determine what functions can optimally be delegated to onboard AI systems and what decisions require human inputs. The suite of possible decision making encompasses activities such as camera operations, drilling, movement, safety measures, data assessment and telemetry. The project outcomes will include AI systems, publications and presentations on results.

Field of Science

Exploration

Responsibilities

• Work with NASA scientists and engineers to develop AI systems for autonomous operation of instrument and spacecraft suites.
• Assess and determine what functions can optimally be delegated to onboard AI systems and what decisions require human inputs.
• Understand prior spacecraft operations to inform the design of AI systems.
• Develop and evaluate AI systems for autonomous operations.
• Contribute to publications and presentations on the project outcomes.

Requirements

• A PhD in a relevant discipline including engineering, computer science or physical or biological sciences with experience in training and evaluation of AI systems.
• Experience in developing robotic systems, training of neural nets for data assimilation and related activities.
• Strong programming skills, including experience with machine learning.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status.

Skills

• Experience with machine learning.
• Programming skills, particularly in Python or similar languages.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Benefits

• One- to three-year fellowship.
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading scientists and engineers at NASA centers.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Pay

Salary range: $70,000 - $100,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Full-time, one- to three-year commitment.

Contact Information

For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org.