AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS WORKSHOP
August 31 - September 2, 1999
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
Conveners:
Andrea Donnellan - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Bruce Luyendyk - University of California, Santa Barbara
Sridhar Anandakrishnan - University of Alabama
Antarctica and the Arctic are expensive and difficult places to do
research because of their remote-nature and harsh environmental
conditions. They are the most isolated places on Earth and also
experience the most extreme weather conditions. Scientists are constantly
looking for ways to accomplish research goals at the lowest possible cost
and still maintain a high level of scientific value. In 1996, the
Committee on Fundamental Science of the National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC) recommended that cost savings for the U.S. Antarctic
Programs could be achieved by reducing requirement for on-site supporting
staff by developing autonomous data gathering systems utilizing advanced
computers and micro-electronics and emerging satellite capabilities.
Numerous investigators are conducting experiments in polar or other
extreme environments that require the use of autonomous systems and the
number of autonomous systems is expected to increase. While these systems
may vary in size and power requirements, they have similar problems that
must be overcome in order for them to function properly. These problems
include, but are not limited to, issues related to power, thermal
environment, data storage, communications, and packaging. A workshop is
scheduled for August 31 - September 2, 1999 at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in Pasadena, California to discuss these issues.
The goals of the workshop are to:
- Promote dialogue between scientists and engineers on autonomous system
design. - Make recommendations on power, thermal, data, communications, and
packaging systems. - Discuss whether standardization is recommended for future systems.
- Discuss and recommend whether design and testing criteria should be
met before systems are deployed in polar regions.
Scientists, engineers, and industry partners are invited to participate
in the workshop. The meeting will begin with keynote speakers followed by
talks and discussion in a variety of topics. Each session will begin with
a talk by an expert within that field. Attendees are invited to speak in
any of the sessions, including the general session on experience gained
and lessons learned. The last day will be devoted to breakout groups that
will formulate recommendations on overall systems design or certain
aspects of autonomous systems.
Proceedings and recommendations of the workshop will be published via the
web.
More information can be found at http://geodynamics.jpl.nasa.gov/workshop
Directions to JPL can be found at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/tours/routes.html.
Details on registration and hotels will be posted soon.
For further information please contact:
Andrea Donnellan
andrea [at] cobra.jpl.nasa.gov