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

近年来，研究界见证了航天器发射的爆炸式增长，特别是用于低地球轨道（LEO）的小卫星。这个太空新时代主要是由低成本助推器技术的进步和微电子（ME）设备的小型化实现的。这些发展引发了商业和商业应用的迅速增长，以及天基研究的扩大；因此，目前有大量研究小组正在开发空间网络基础设施（CI）技术。然而，由于空间业务程序缺乏系统和有原则的做法，导致空间CI利用不足。最近的研究报告显示，小型卫星项目的成功率只有44%。这些故障大多可归因于缺乏训练有素的工作人员，他们熟悉最新的操作实践，习惯于太空中的恶劣条件和微重力，并精通有限的计算资源和可用的网络连接。空间研究机会的迅速发展强调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在不同研究领域的应用，本项目旨在设计和实施一个可访问的培训框架。该框架不仅在可承受的成本范围内，而且还具有足够的灵活性，可以满足不同研究领域的网络和物理需求。作为一个试点项目，最初的工作将涉及为空间CI创建一个虚拟测试平台环境，这是一种促进能够与各种物理设备集成的通用框架支持的底层技术。为了有效地再现真实的外部条件，调查人员将参考从行业合作者那里获得的真实世界痕迹。为了验证解决各种研究团体需求的综合培训框架的愿景，提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，他们目前专注于开发用于太空探索的小型化传感器。该项目的主要成果将包括计划在以后阶段进行的两个讲习班编写的培训材料。第一次研讨会将面向有经验的研究人员，而第二次研讨会将面向具有基本研究经验的本科生和研究生。这两个讲习班都将特别强调培训方案对代表性不足的人口的潜在好处。该奖项由先进网络基础设施办公室颁发，并得到计算机与信息科学与工程研究社区基础设施（CIRC）项目的联合支持。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.