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，特别是以低地球轨道为目的地的小型卫星。这一太空新时代主要得益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迅速增长，并扩大了天基研究;因此，许多研究小组目前正在开发空间网络基础设施技术。然而，由于在空间操作程序方面缺乏系统和原则性的做法，导致空间竞争与信息利用不足。最近的研究报告称，小型卫星项目的成功率仅为44%。大多数这些故障可归因于缺乏训练有素的劳动力，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，并精通使用有限的计算资源和可用的网络连接。空间研究机会的迅速增加突出表明需要对劳动力进行充分的培训。使下一代研究人员具备在外层空间操作传播与信息所需的技能至关重要。为了加速和扩大新兴空间传播与信息在不同研究领域的采用，本项目旨在设计和实施一个无障碍培训框架。这个框架不仅福尔斯落在一个负担得起的成本范围内，但它也足够灵活，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，最初的努力将涉及为空间CI创建一个虚拟测试平台环境，这是一种基础技术，用于促进能够与各种物理设备集成的多功能框架支持。为了有效地再现真实的外部条件，研究人员将参考从行业合作者那里获得的真实世界痕迹。为了验证一个全面的培训框架，解决各种研究界的需求的愿景，拟议的研究包括原型的努力。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空间探索的小型传感器。该项目的主要成果将包括计划在以后阶段举办的两个讲习班所产生的培训材料。第一次研讨会将面向有经验的研究人员，而第二次研讨会将针对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的人群的潜在好处。高级网络基础设施办公室的这一奖项由计算机和信息科学与工程研究社区基础设施（CIRC）共同支持。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过评估使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的支持影响审查标准。

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.