The following workshop will take place this August in Washington, D.C. I encourage anyone interested in the challenges associated with using machine learning and data analysis methods in conjunction with space missions to contribute and participate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Papers and Participation: ICML-2003 Workshop Machine Learning Technologies for Autonomous Space Applications Thursday, August 21, 2003, Washington, D.C. http://www.lunabots.com/icml2003/ Submission deadline: May 1, 2003 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ICML 2003 workshop on Machine Learning Technologies for Autonomous Space Applications invites contributions from researchers and practitioners in machine learning, space science, and mission planning. This workshop aims to bring together those interested in developing novel machine learning algorithms for autonomous spacecraft with those concerned with misson safety, performance, and engineering constraints to bridge the "applicability divide". Despite progress in developing applicable ML techniques, adoption and integration into fielded remote space missions remains a challenge. The workshop will provide a context for mission engineers and scientists to present their "wish lists" and real-world constraints to machine learning researchers and for ML scientists to present pertinent, cutting-edge technologies. The ultimate goal is to foster research and development leading to the application of machine learning methods on real, flown spacecraft. We convene this workshop as a forum where we can address critical questions such as: * How can we design algorithms that can train for a long time under controlled situations, but must work almost perfectly in a remote, autonomous setting? * How can ML techniques be tested so as to convince someone outside the field that they are reliable, robust, and effective for real space systems? What are the best analogue problems and situations, here on Earth, for the development and study of applicable ML techniques? * Are there specific, possibly novel, metrics and methodologies for evaluation that would be most appropriate for these problems? * What ML algorithms drawn from other domains (e.g., tasks with a high cost of failure) are applicable to the problems faced by fielded space missions? * Can we provide formal performance guarantees for ML algorithms in the constrained and sometimes hostile environments in which remote space systems will exist? * How can we strengthen connections between ML researchers and the people making operational decisions for space missions? For a full description of the workshop focus and goals, visit the website at http://www.lunabots.com/icml2003/ . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Format ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This will be a one-day workshop. The day will open with a keynote presentation by Dr. Steve Chien of JPL, a renowned expert in automated planning and scheduling for space exploration. In addition, the program will feature a mix of technical presentations by machine learning and space mission scientists, ample discussion sessions, and a small-group brainstorming exercise built around exemplar practical scenarios. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Paper Submissions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We welcome contributions of innovative, controversial, yet well reasoned ideas. Papers, 3-5 pages in length, may be submitted on one of three topics: technical challenges/solutions, social challenges/solutions, or opportunities for the use of ML in space missions. In addition, interested participants who do not wish to submit a technical paper may submit a one-page statement of interests and potential contributions to the workshop. For more details, including paper format and submission address, see: http://www.lunabots.com/icml2003/CFP.html#sub ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Important Dates ---------------------------------------------------------------------- May 1, 2003: Technical submissions due May 25, 2003: Notification of acceptance June 6, 2003: Camera ready copies of both bios and technical submissions August 1, 2003: Attendance-only submissions due Note that biographies submitted in this category after the June 6 camera-ready date may not appear in the proceedings, though we will attempt to make them available on the workshop web site. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Program Committee ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kiri Wagstaff (JHU/APL) - Co-chair Amy McGovern (University of Massachusetts Amherst) - Co-chair Terran Lane (University of New Mexico) - Co-chair Jim Bell (Cornell University) Steve Chien (NASA/JPL) Dennis DeCoste (NASA/JPL) Manfred Huber (University of Texas at Arlington) Ted Roush (NASA/Ames) Donna Shirley (University of Oklahoma) Tim Stough (NASA/JPL) ----------------------------------------------------------------------