Astrodynamics Applications of Artificial Intelligence

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. This specific position focuses on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to solving complex trajectory design problems. Specific applications will focus on tour design strategies and trajectory design within other multi-body or highly nonlinear systems. The emphasis will be on how AI methods can both characterize and optimize trajectories within complex design spaces. Within this context, contingency planning for robust trajectories under uncertainties and anomalies will also be explored. A range of models including patched two-body systems, the circular restricted three-body problem, and the full ephemeris will be used in relevant analyses.