The Astrogator's AI

Focus: AI, Machine Learning, and Predictive Models

Mission Details

This track is for the data scientists and machine learning engineers. Your mission is to build the "brains" of future space exploration. You'll dive deep into vast datasets to find patterns, make predictions, and create intelligent systems.

If you love neural networks, computer vision, time-series analysis, or generative AI, this is your specialization. We're challenging you to go beyond simple data retrieval and build applications that think, learn, and assist human explorers.

Potential Project Vectors

  • Pulsar Candidate Sorter: Train a model to identify pulsar signals from noisy radio data.
  • Mars Rover Anomaly Detector: Use computer vision to scan Mars Rover photos and flag unusual rock formations, potential debris, or camera artifacts.
  • Solar Flare Predictor: Use time-series analysis on NASA's DONKI data to predict the likelihood of C- or X-class solar flares in the next 24 hours.
  • Exoplanet Atmosphere Classifier: Analyze light-curve data from the Exoplanet Archive to make educated guesses about atmospheric composition or habitability.
  • Generative Nebula Art: Build a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) trained on APOD images to create new, stunning (and fictional) nebulas and starscapes.

Example Project: 'Launch-Link'

Concept: Predictive Launch Readiness Score

A real-time dashboard that pulls data from multiple sources (SpaceX API, weather APIs) to generate a "launch readiness score." This model would predict the probability of a launch proceeding on time versus a scrub or delay.

Core Features:

  • Dashboard listing upcoming launches from the SpaceX API.
  • Real-time weather data processing for the launch site (e.g., wind speed, precipitation, cloud cover).
  • A machine learning model (e.g., Random Forest or Gradient Boosting) trained on historical launch data (weather, rocket type, payload) vs. outcome (success, scrub, delay).
  • A final "Go / No-Go" probability score displayed for each upcoming launch.

Data Feeds:

SpaceX API (for launch schedules), a public Weather API (for site conditions), and a custom-built historical dataset for training.

Register for Mission