For this challenge, we invite you to become "virtual contributors" to the Asteroid Grand Challenge and develop a hypothetical method, concept note or simple prototype that demonstrates how Machine Learning could be used to help us avoid the same fate as the dinosaurs.

Model using NASA NEO data to produce a 3D model modified as the Atari 2600 Game “Asteroids” which Google Deepmind uses to target/ confirm NEOs

Business Requirements Document (BRD) NASA NEO BRD Concept Note

NEO-AI

April 2016

Version 1.1

NASA

Acknowledgements:

1.Ben Noble (PA Consulting- SpaceApps London DataCamp 2016)

2.Shaun Moss (Author of The International Mars Research Station)

3.Dr Demis Hassabis (Google Deepmind AI)

4.Ed Rex (Jukedeck AI)

5.

1Document Revisions

2Approvals

3Introduction

3.1 Project Summary

3.1.1Objectives

To develop a hypothetical method, concept note or simple prototype that demonstrates how Machine Learning could be used to help us avoid the same fate as the dinosaurs.

3.1.2Background

This Challenge is part of the 2016 NASA SpaceApps Challenge.

3.1.2.1Business Drivers

Near Earth Objects can have potentially catastrophic(E.L.E) impacts or huge economic (ie.insurance) impact

Near Earth Objects can also be harvested for resources in the future by asteroid mining Companies this could be harnessed as a funding resource for cash strapped research projects and related NEO finding affiliates.

3.2Project Scope

3.2.1In Scope Functionality

• Explore the existing framework for NEOs
• Create algorithms and solutions using AI/ Machine learning resources
• Raise issues flagged during the research phase

3.3System Perspective

3.3.1Assumptions

Existing list of NEO’s have been verified

Jupiter / our moon will take care of 90% of the NEOs

3.3.2Constraints

Our data may only go as far back as the 1900’s. The Ancient Chinese kept records dating back for 3,000 years and should be accessed for historical impacts or observations that may be useful.

http://idp.bl.uk/4DCGI/education/astronomy/history...

3.3.3Risks

Unidentified NEOs reaching earth – ie. We missed the observation

An existing NEO’s projected trajectory is altered by Solar Flare or other space phenomina bringing it into collision with earth

3.3.4Issues

The Key Issue is to ensure our 3D model of NEOs is as accurate as possible for the Deepmind AI to target the NEOs.

4Business Process Overview

4.1Current Business Process (As-Is)

Data from verified NEO objects are handled by

Repository of all located NEOs and NEAs: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net

4.2Proposed Business Process (To-Be)

1.Data from the Minor Planet Center to be fed into a 3D simulation model

2.The simulation model will resemble a modified Atari 2600 game called “Asteroids” and the 3D model would resemble existing apps. Eg: GoSkyWatch App

3.Additional data will be fed in from an App similar to Seti- at- Home which amateur astronomers NEO observations are electronically sent through by the app for confirmation

4.A modified version of Google Deepmind’s AI machine learning will be used to target NEO’s.

A list of Google Deepmind’s approaches can be found at the following site:

https://deepmind.com/publications.html

5Business Requirements

The requirements in this document are prioritized as follows:

5.1Functional Requirements

5.2Non-Functional Requirements

6Appendices

6.1List of Acronyms

NEO – Near Earth Object

ELE- Extinction level event

6.2Glossary of Terms

Google Deepmind - Google DeepMind is a British artificial intelligence company founded in September 2010 as DeepMind Technologies. It was renamed when it was acquired by Google in 2014.

6.3Related Documents

Near Earth Object Machine Learning

• A list of close approaches to the earth: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/CloseAp...
• The JPL Small-Body Database: http:/ / ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/ sbdb.cgi
  • orbital elements
  • orbit diagrams
  • physical parameters
  • discovery circumstances
• Bolide Impacts / Bolide and Fireball Reports
  • https://data.nasa.gov/Space-Science/Fireball-And-B...
  • http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/fireball
• This comprehensive data set from The Meteoritical Society contains information on all of the known meteorite landings: https://data.nasa.gov/Space-Science/Meteorite-Land...
• NEOWISE NEA/COMET Discovery: http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/programs/neowise.html
• Near Earth Objects (NeoWs) API - With NeoWs, a user can search for Asteroids based on their closest approach date to Earth, lookup a specific Asteroid with its NASA JPL small body ID HED Compendium (Meteorites from VESTA) http:/ / curator.jsc.nasa.gov/ antmet/ hed/ hed_compendium.cfm
• The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (Moon craters): http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/
• The MPC Orbit (MPCORB) database contains orbital elements of minor planets that have been published in the Minor Planet Circulars, the Minor Planet Orbit Supplement and the Minor Planet Electronic Circulars: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPCORB.html
• PHA Orbits (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids): http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/orbits/
• Heliocentric Comets Near-Earth Comets - Orbital Elements: https://data.nasa.gov/Space-Science/Near-Earth-Com...
• Repository of all located NEOs and NEAs: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net
• Light Curve Database: http://minorplanetcenter.net/light_curve.
  • 3D models of asteroids, from radar and lightcurve inversion: http://space.frieger.com/asteroids/
• MPC Web service: orbits and some physical parameters: http://minorplanetcenter.net/web_service
• Potentially Hazardous Asteroids: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPCORB/PHA.tx...
• Data Available from the Minor Planet Center: http://minorplanetcenter.net/data/
  • Dates of last observation for NEAs and outer Solar System objects: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPC_Documenta...
  • List Of Aten Minor Planets (by designation): http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/Atens.h...
  • List Of Apollo Minor Planets (by designation): http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/Apollos...
  • List Of Amor Minor Planets (by designation): http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/Amors.h...
  • Dates Of Last Observation Of Unusual Minor Planets: http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/LastUnu...

Asteroid Mining

• See links above in Near Earth Objects Machine Learning
• * OSIRIS-REX mission:
  • http://www.asteroidmission.org/mission/#explore-in...
  • http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/new-nasa-missi...
• Glass Beads, Meteorite Fragments Hold Secret to Working on Asteroids: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/glass-beads-meteorite-...
• Consider what tools and vehicles you might use to accomplish the task:
  • NEA Scout Mission: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/cubesat/missions/neascout....
  • WRANGLER: http://www.nasa.gov/content/wrangler-capture-and-d...
• How to Mine an Asteroid http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/a7942/how-to...
• NASA JPL Roobotic Microspines
• Resourece Prospector Mission: https://www.nasa.gov/resource-prospector/

The abovementioned is available as a word document with images

Opensource Pygame example of Atari 2600 "Asteroids"

JukeDeck's AI to provide a soundtrack for the video

Stupeflix to customise the video

Resources on GitHub provided by NASA