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NASA NTRS · 20190000209

ISS Robotic Student Programming

Barlow, Jonathan·Benavides, Jose·Hanson, Robert·Cortez, Jose·Soloway, Don·Oyadomari, Ken·Levasseur, Darryl
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Abstract

The SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellite) facility is a set of three free-flying satellites launched in 2006. In addition to scientists and engineers, middle- and high-school students program the SPHERES during the annual Zero Robotics programming competition. Zero Robotics conducts virtual competitions via simulator and on SPHERES aboard the ISS (International Space Station), with students doing the programming. A web interface allows teams to submit code, receive results, collaborate, and compete in simulator-based initial rounds and semi-final rounds. The final round of each competition is conducted with SPHERES aboard the ISS. At the end of 2017 a new robotic platform called Astrobee will launch, providing new game elements and new ground support for even more student interaction.

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Barlow, Jonathan, Benavides, Jose, Hanson, Robert, Cortez, Jose, Soloway, Don, Oyadomari, Ken, Levasseur, Darryl. 2016-07-12. ISS Robotic Student Programming. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20190000209

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How some tropical trees benefit from being struck by lightning: evidence for Dipteryx oleifera and other large‐statured trees

Lightning strikes kill hundreds of millions of trees annually, but their role in shaping tree life history and diversity is largely unknown. Here, in this study, we use data from a unique lightning location system to show that some individual trees counterintuitively benefit from being struck by lightning. Lightning killed 56% of 93 directly struck trees and caused an average of 41% crown dieback among the survivors. However, among these struck trees, 10 direct strikes caused negligible damage to Dipteryx oleifera trees while killing 78% of their lianas and 2.1 Mg of competitor tree biomass. Nine trees of other long-lived taxa survived lightning with similar benefits. On average, a D. oleifera tree > 60 cm in diameter is struck by lightning at least five times during its lifetime, conferring these benefits repeatedly. We estimate that the ability to survive lightning increases lifetime fecundity 14-fold, largely because of reduced competition from lianas and neighboring trees. Moreover, the unusual heights and wide crowns of D. oleifera increase the probability of a direct strike by 49–68% relative to trees of the same diameter with average allometries. These patterns suggest that lightning plays an underappreciated role in tree competition, life history strategies, and species coexistence.

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NASA NTRS2016

ISS Robotic Student Programming

The SPHERES facility is a set of three free-flying satellites launched in 2006. In addition to scientists and engineering, middle- and high-school students program the SPHERES during the annual Zero Robotics programming competition. Zero Robotics conducts virtual competitions via simulator and on SPHERES aboard the ISS, with students doing the programming. A web interface allows teams to submit code, receive results, collaborate, and compete in simulator-based initial rounds and semi-final rounds. The final round of each competition is conducted with SPHERES aboard the ISS. At the end of 2017 a new robotic platform called Astrobee will launch, providing new game elements and new ground support for even more student interaction.

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