CyberTraining:Pilot:CyberTraining for Space CI in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

近年来，研究界目睹了航天器发射的爆炸性增长，特别是目的地为低地球轨道(LEO)的小型卫星。太空中的这个新时代主要是由于低成本助推器技术的进步和微电子(ME)设备的小型化。这些发展促进了商业和商业应用的快速增长，以及空间研究的扩大；因此，许多研究小组现在正在为空间网络基础设施开发技术。然而，由于在空间业务程序方面缺乏系统和原则性的做法，导致对空间信息的利用不足。最近的研究报告说，小型卫星项目的成功率只有44%。其中大多数故障可归因于缺乏训练有素的工作人员，他们熟悉最新的业务做法，习惯于空间的恶劣条件和微重力，并熟练地利用有限的计算资源和可用的网络连接工作。空间研究机会的迅速增加突显了对劳动力进行充分培训的必要性。必须使下一代研究人员具备在外层空间操作CI所需的技能。为了加速和扩大新兴空间CI在不同研究领域的采用，该项目旨在设计和实施一个可访问的培训框架。这一框架不仅在负担得起的成本范围内，而且还足够灵活，可以满足不同研究领域的网络和物理需求。作为试点项目，初步工作将涉及为SPACE CI创建一个虚拟试验台环境，这是一种促进能够与各种物理设备集成的多功能框架支持的基础技术。为了有效地再现现实的外部条件，调查人员将参考从行业合作者那里获得的真实世界痕迹。为了验证全面培训框架的愿景，以满足不同研究界的需求，拟议的研究包括原型工作。这项工作将与材料科学研究人员合作进行，这些研究人员目前专注于开发用于空间探索的微型传感器。该项目的主要成果将包括为以后阶段计划举办的两个讲习班编写的培训材料。第一个研讨会将面向有经验的研究人员，而第二个研讨会将面向具有基础研究经验的本科生和研究生。这两个研讨会将特别强调培训计划对代表性不足人群的潜在好处。这项由高级网络基础设施办公室颁发的奖项由社区计算机和信息科学与工程研究基础设施(CIRC)计划联合支持。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In recent years, the research community has witnessed an explosive increase in the launch of spacecraft, particularly small satellites destined for Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This new era in space is primarily enabled by advancements in low-cost booster technology and the miniaturization of microelectronic (ME) devices. These developments have sparked rapid growth in both business and commercial applications, as well as in the expansion of space-based research; consequently, a large number of research groups are now developing technologies for space cyberinfrastructure (CI). However, a lack of systematic and principled practices in space operational procedures has led to insufficient utilization of space CI. Recent studies have reported a success rate of only 44% for small satellite projects. Most of these failures can be attributed to a shortage of a trained workforce who are updated with the latest operational practices, accustomed to the harsh conditions and microgravity in space, and proficient in working with the limited computing resources and network connectivity available. The burgeoning research opportunities in space underscore the need for adequate workforce training. It is essential to equip the next generation of researchers with the skills required for operating CI in outer space.To accelerate and broaden the adoption of emerging space CI across diverse research domains, this project aims to design and implement an accessible training framework. This framework not only falls within an affordable cost range, but it is also flexible enough to meet the cyber and physical demands of diverse research fields. As a pilot project, the initial effort will involve creating a virtual testbed environment for space CI, an underlying technology for facilitating versatile framework support capable of integrating with various physical devices. To effectively reproduce realistic exterior conditions, the investigators will refer to real-world traces obtained from industry collaborators. To validate the vision for a comprehensive training framework that addresses the needs of various research communities, the proposed research includes a prototyping effort. This effort will be conducted in collaboration with materials science researchers who are currently focused on developing miniaturized sensors for space exploration. The major outcomes of the project will include training materials generated from two workshops planned for later stages. The first workshop will be geared toward experienced researchers, while the second will target undergraduate and graduate-level students with basic research experience. Both workshops will place particular emphasis on the potential benefits of the training program for underrepresented populations.This award by the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure is jointly supported by the Community Infrastructure for Research in Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CIRC) program.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.