Research Project

Abstract

24 minutes. That’s the time it takes for a single command to travel from Earth to Mars. While it may seem insignificant in the context of a day, in the fast-paced world of space exploration, those 24 minutes can feel like an eternity. Looking at these 24 minutes we ask, “Is autonomous navigation the key to overcoming this delay, and what impact could it have on the future of space exploration?” By enabling mobile robots to make decisions on their own, autonomous systems could eliminate the need for Earth-based commands. This shift would significantly enhance mission efficiency, enabling scientists to focus on data analysis rather than waiting for rovers to carry out instructions. The core methodology involves developing a machine learning model, creating a simulation to train and evaluate the model, and finally integrating it into a physical prototype. As we explore further out into space those 24 minutes only seek to expand, but our project will lay the foundation for more efficient, reliable, and groundbreaking missions.