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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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99 records · Page 6

Breaking Barriers: Integrating Geo-Leo Aerosol Data with an Open-Source Approach

The scientific community is still examining the novel data from geostationary satellite observations and evaluating methods for effectively fusing the polar observations with various spatial and temporal resolutions. However, the merged data will present a significant ""Big Data"" challenge, including processing, storage, data discoverability, accessibility, and migration within cloud computing environments. We have developed an open-source package to fuse aerosol optical depths (AOD) products from six satellite sensors in the past four years (2019~2023), and this presentation will update our recent progress. Using this Python-based package, we produced a level 3 global (AOD) product in a quarter-degree spatial resolution every half-hour, fusing the Level 2 AOD data with the Dark Target aerosol retrieval algorithm from six satellites: three geostationary (GOES-16/17 and Himawari-8) with high temporal resolution, and three polar orbiting (TERRA/MODIS, AQUA/MODIS, and SNPP-VIIRS) with global coverage. By integrating these observations, the diurnal cycle of global AOD in this fused product can be characterized at local, regional, and global scales. Furthermore, we are committed to openness and transparency by providing our package and its associated functionalities as open-source. Our dedication to adhering to the FAIR, CARE, and TRUST principles ensures that our users can rely on the integrity and ethical standards of our work. For instance of Interoperability, this package fuses remote sensing products on demand into desired temporal and spatial domains. It can be run in a central processing unit (CPU) or a Graphics processing unit (GPU) mode. This package will empower researchers and practitioners to use satellite and sensor data efficiently in various applications and research.

Xiaohua Pan↗

Clinical Trials at NASA: What Makes A Clinical Trial & What Are the Requirements for International Partners?

ClinicalTrials.gov is a public registry designed to fulfill ethical obligations by providing information about clinical research studies to the general public, patients, medical practitioners and the research community. In the United States, recent revisions to human subject’s regulations have prompted new criteria for what constitutes a clinical trial along with requirements not typically requested for other types of human subject’s research. Identification of investigational clinical trials is the shared responsibility of NASA, the IRB, and the scientific investigators designing and conducting the research. This talk aims to educate attendees on the history of the development of Clinicaltrials.gov, discussion of why these requirements are important to both participants and researchers, and information on how to identify clinical trials research. In addition, we will provide information on the different requirements for clinical trials conducted at NASA or aboard the International Space Station.

Clinicaltrials.gov↗

NASA Earth Science Division’s Commitment to Increasing Safety in the Field

NASA's Earth Science Division (ESD) has led and supported field campaign research over many decades focused on advancing fundamental research, testing new instrument technologies, and promoting career development. ESD field campaign research is conducted over a wide range of projects that vary in size, science focus area, location, platform type, and people. ESD leadership has created a task team to address campaign physical and mental safety, with the goal of providing all participants in NASA field campaign research with an environment that promotes research, safety, inclusivity, and a positive experience. Building on resources that have been developed both within and outside NASA, we report on the task team’s accomplishments and near-term plans, including the recent establishment of a best practices document and guidelines for the development of “agreement of behaviors” document for field teams. We also describe progress in the development of an online training module for field campaign participation, the incorporation of campaign safety language in forthcoming NASA ROSES solicitations, and outreach activities. Finally, we report on recent joint interactions with the NASA Planetary Science Division’s Ethics in Fieldwork team.

Ocean-based measurements↗

Implementing Artificial Thinking Autonomy with Model-Based System Engineering

Complex autonomous systems capable of successfully operating independently under ‘known unknowns’ and harsh conditions require paradigm innovation in modern development strategies. In the field of autonomy, developing a system-of-systems which can ostensibly think for itself in the face of ‘unknown unknowns’ is still a field of ongoing research. Maturing the systems architecting and modeling methodologies for developing henceforth named Thinking Autonomous Systems, which are verified with digital mission simulation, can potentially usher in the next generation of artificial intelligence for space exploration. The concept presented in this paper incorporates multiple Model-Based Systems Engineering and simulation methodologies combined as a new paradigm to design a novel, biomimetic thinking autonomy strategy. Anachronistic concepts from classical Kantian philosophy will be leveraged to inspire architectural designs that could be used for complex distributed systems in deep space. To accomplish this, digital transformation of a document-based implementation plan for Thinking Autonomous Systems, generated by experienced NASA software engineers, is implemented for NASA’s Platform for Autonomous Systems by creating descriptive and executable software models in SysML to prototype real-time operating capabilities. This conceptual implementation has been developed by incorporating model-based digital simulations to theorize how a cyberphysical thinking system would achieve specific strategies without crew reliance, while simultaneously being resilient to all operating conditions and remaining functional when devoid of ground communication. Additionally, ensuring that an autonomous system framework is an ethical Artificial Intelligence requires careful consideration of system behavior and accountability, human factors for teaming with a thinking autonomous system, and comparison to other modern approaches used for implementing true autonomy. This paper presents the first steps in formalizing the metacognition required for instantiating a truly Thinking Autonomous System; the approach described symphonizes autonomy characteristics from classical philosophical into a unified software architecture describing human thought. In the future, the foundational models described in this paper can be further leveraged to help advance research into thinking autonomy requirements for future deep space missions as well as for current near-term applications, i.e., living aboard crewed spacecraft like a NASA Gateway cislunar habitat.

Artificial Thought↗

NASA's Responsible AI Plan

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an integral part of today’s process of conducting science and technology development. At NASA, AI has become an integral and important tool for researchers, engineers, data scientists, and technologists in pursuing the ground-breaking discoveries that we are known for, including the command and controlling of our spacecraft and other supporting infrastructures. Consequently, research and engineering efforts incorporating AI have permeated almost every area of our work. It is contributing to NASA’s drive toward the future, not just of space science, but for society here at home. We are dedicated to continuing the use of AI in a safe and fully transparent approach so that the public can have high confidence in the outcomes and benefits. We believe that the plan outlined here will be responsive and contribute to the call for openness across the federal government. NASA is committed to responsible use of AI in all of its activities and in all phases of development and deployment of its space and terrestrial programs missions. NASA does not deliberately focus on “AI Research” as a separate field (we have no single “AI office” or “AI program”), rather NASA uses AI to build tools for its programs. This plan, being put forward, adheres to the Responsible AI (RAI) principles set and laid down by the White House in its Presidential Executive Order 13960. Our research, engineering and technical communities have been made aware of these guidelines and we are committed to an on-going process of educating and monitoring its implementation to ensure adherence to those principles. The vast majority of NASA’s use cases, which number almost 75 today, are geared toward analyzing the petabytes of data that NASA collects from its fleet of spacecraft across all disciplines, in human space exploration, and in aeronautics, etc.

Artificial Intelligence↗

NASA's Responsible AI Use Cases

This submission consists of NASA's Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) Use Cases. These RAI Use Cases are to be made public, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order 13960, Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government. They were collected from NASA's practicing AI research community and cover the gamut of NASA's AI activities. These Use Cases will be updated annually as required by the Executive Order. The information included consists of the NASA Center, a summary of the goal, the AI techniques being applied, information on training data, and information on source code.

Artificial Intelligence↗

Supporting Responsible Machine Learning in Heliophysics

Over the last decade, Heliophysics researchers have increasingly adopted a variety of machine learning methods such as artificial neural networks, decision trees, and clustering algorithms into their workflow. Adoption of these advanced data science methods had quickly outpaced institutional response, but many professional organizations such as the European Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the American Geophysical Union have now issued (or will soon issue) standards for artificial intelligence and machine learning that will impact scientific research. These standards add further (necessary) burdens on the individual researcher who must now prepare the public release of data and code in addition to traditional paper writing. Support for these is not reflected in the current state of institutional support, community practices, or governance systems. We examine here some of these principles and how our institutions and community can promote their successful adoption within the Heliophysics discipline.

Machine learning↗

NASA's Responsible AI Use Cases

This submission consists of summary use cases for NASA's Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI). These RAI Use Cases are to be made public, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order 13960, Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government. They were collected from NASA's practicing AI research community and cover the gamut of NASA's AI activities. These Use Cases will be updated annually as required by the Executive Order. The information included consists of the NASA Center, a summary of the goal, the AI techniques being applied, information on training data, and information on source code.

Artificial Intelligence↗