Designing displaced lunar orbits using low-thrust propulsion

The design of spacecraft trajectories is a crucial task in space mission design. Solar sail technology appears as a promising form of advanced spacecraft propulsion which can enable exciting new space science mission concepts such as solar system exploration and deep space observation. Although solar sailing has been considered as a practical means of spacecraft propulsion only relatively recently, the fundamental ideas are by no means new (see McInnes1 for a detailed description). A solar sail is propelled by re ecting solar photons and therefore can transform the momentum of the photons into a propulsive force. This article focuses on designing displaced lunar orbits using low-thrust propulsion

Efficient design optimization of complex electromagnetic systems using parametric macromodeling techniques

We propose a new parametric macromodeling technique for complex electromagnetic systems described by scattering parameters, which are parameterized by multiple design variables such as layout or substrate feature. The proposed technique is based on an efficient and reliable combination of rational identification, a procedure to find scaling and frequency shifting system coefficients, and positive interpolation schemes. Parametric macromodels can be used for efficient and accurate design space exploration and optimization. A design optimization example for a complex electromagnetic system is used to validate the proposed parametric macromodeling technique in a practical design process flow

Towards Crew-Centered, Mission-Oriented Space Flight Training

This poster describes a training approach that applies empirically derived principles of training to reimagining the overall design of NASA's space flight training program. The poster is focused specifically on the design of astronaut training for NASA's future deep space, exploration missions to Mars. We briefly describe NASA's space flight training practices during the Apollo and Space Shuttle eras as well as NASA's current practices for training astronauts for their missions to the International Space Station. We provide an overview of NASA's current concepts for a mission to Mars to scope our training approach. We envision a new space flight training approach which we term crew-centered, mission oriented training, inspired by the design approach offered in the context of airline pilot training by Barshi. We apply research-based training principles reviewed by Kole and his colleagues, as well as by other researchers in training science, into real-world, practical guidelines for the particular context of training astronauts for a mission to Mars

A methodological approach for algorithmic composition systems' parameter spaces aesthetic exploration

Algorithmic composition is the process of creating musical material by means of formal methods. As a consequence of its design, algorithmic composition systems are (explicitly or implicitly) described in terms of parameters. Thus, parameter space exploration plays a key role in learning the system's capabilities. However, in the computer music field, this task has received little attention. This is due in part, because the produced changes on the human perception of the outputs, as a response to changes on the parameters, could be highly nonlinear, therefore models with strongly predictable outputs are needed. The present work describes a methodology for the human perceptual (or aesthetic) exploration of generative systems' parameter spaces. As the systems' outputs are intended to produce an aesthetic experience on humans, audition plays a central role in the process. The methodology starts from a set of parameter combinations which are perceptually evaluated by the user. The sampling process of such combinations depends on the system under study and possible on heuristic considerations. The evaluated set is processed by a compaction algorithm able to generate linguistic rules describing the distinct perceptions (classes) of the user evaluation. The semantic level of the extracted rules allows for interpretability, while showing great potential in describing high and low-level musical entities. As the resulting rules represent discrete points in the parameter space, further possible extensions for interpolation between points are also discussed. Finally, some practical implementations and paths for further research are presented.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Meeting-Merging-Mission: A Multi-robot Coordinate Framework for Large-Scale Communication-Limited Exploration

This letter presents a complete framework Meeting-Merging-Mission for multi-robot exploration under communication restriction. Considering communication is limited in both bandwidth and range in the real world, we propose a lightweight environment presentation method and an efficient cooperative exploration strategy. For lower bandwidth, each robot utilizes specific polytopes to maintains free space and super frontier information (SFI) as the source for exploration decision-making. To reduce repeated exploration, we develop a mission-based protocol that drives robots to share collected information in stable rendezvous. We also design a complete path planning scheme for both centralized and decentralized cases. To validate that our framework is practical and generic, we present an extensive benchmark and deploy our system into multi-UGV and multi-UAV platforms

Evolutionary Multiobjective Design in Automotive Development

This paper describes the use of evolutionary algorithms to solve multiobjective optimization problems arising at different stages in the automotive design process. The problems considered are black box optimization scenarios: definitions of the decision space and the design objectives are given, together with a procedure to evaluate any decision alternative with regard to the design objectives, e.g., a simulation model. However, no further information about the objective function is available. In order to provide a practical introduction to the use of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms, this article explores the three following case studies: design space exploration of road trains, parameter optimization of adaptive cruise controllers, and multiobjective system identification. In addition, selected research topics in evolutionary multiobjective optimization will be illustrated along with each case study, highlighting the practical relevance of the theoretical results through real-world application examples. The algorithms used in these studies were implemented based on the PISA (Platform and Programming Language Independent Interface for Search Algorithm) framework. Besides helping to structure the presentation of different algorithms in a coherent way, PISA also reduces the implementation effort considerabl

Sensing the Virtual: Atmosphere and Somaesthetics in Virtual Reality

This article examines somaesthetics in virtual reality via the spatial lens of atmosphere, adapting theories of atmosphere to virtual environments and advocating for VR as a distinctive terrain for somaesthetics. Building on Gernot Böhme’s analyses of atmosphere, this exploration unpacks ways that artists have engaged the body and space in VR, from creative interface design to multisensory storytelling, and projects that blend physical and virtual environments. Having mapped the confluence of somaesthetics, atmosphere, and immersive virtual space, the paper concludes considering the practical need for cultivating atmospheric competence in VR

Design Space Exploration of Practical VVC Encoding for Emerging Media Applications

Versatile Video Coding (VVC/H.266) is the latest video coding standard designed for a broad range of next-generation media applications. This paper explores the design space of practical VVC encoding by profiling the Fraunhofer Versatile Video Encoder (VVenC). All experiments were conducted over five 2160p video sequences and their downsampled versions under the random access (RA) condition. The exploration was performed by analyzing the rate-distortion-complexity (RDC) of the VVC block structure and coding tools. First, VVenC was profiled to provide a breakdown of coding block distribution and coding tool utilization in it. Then, the usefulness of each VVC coding tool was analyzed for its individual impact on overall RDC performance. Finally, our findings were elevated to practical implementation guidelines: the highest coding gains come with the multi type tree (MTT) structure, adaptive loop filter (ALF), cross component linear model (CCLM), and bi-directional optical flow (BDOF) coding tools, whereas multi transform selection (MTS) and affine motion estimation are the primary candidates for complexity reduction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to provide a comprehensive RDC analysis for practical VVC encoding. It can serve as a basis for practical VVC encoder implementation or optimization on various computing platforms.publishedVersionPeer reviewe