Project Description:

As part of our autonomy-focused Responsive Operations program, we have developed the Astral Intelligence Toolbox (AITB), a framework that provides a modular, reconfigurable architecture for developing and deploying software applications for on-board data processing and space mission autonomy.

In the small satellite domain, AI powered autonomy enables intelligent decision making to be made in space, increasing the efficiency of missions and adding value to outcomes. Intelligent onboard tasking can be applied to use cases such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, communications and collision avoidance.

Craft Prospect have developed and demonstrated successful intelligent applications for autonomous data processing, and we are keen to grow our capabilities in applications for mission autonomy. Our in-house resources include a test bench and simulator used for demonstrating our data focused applications. Our goal is to expand our mission tasking applications and set up a robotic hardware platform to test them in demonstration.

Our proposal is to acquire a mobile robot for development and testing of intelligent tasking applications. During the project, the successful applicant will:

• Set up a mobile robot running ROS (Robotic Operating System) as a testing platform.

• Get familiar with the AITB and its capabilities.

• Integrate the AITB with ROS to control robot decisions and actions.

• Demonstrate the deployment of a mobile robot powered by ROS and the AITB.

• Generate a report to document the work carried out and key findings

You will be welcomed into a small but highly skilled team of engineers, who will share their knowledge and experience with you as you collaborate. You will also gain insight into the Scottish and UK space industries and engage in any networking opportunities that occur during the internship.

While working with Craft Prospect, you will learn how a small engineering company operates and the specific requirements of an industrial project in contrast to academic projects or those run in larger companies.

You will have the opportunity to gain skills and experience in:

• Development and demonstration of prototypes.

• Real-time embedded applications.

• Software engineering.

• Component integration.

• Testing and simulation.

• Assurance processes.

• Presentation and communication skills.

Find out more about SPIN and explore FAQs here.

Applicant Specification:

You should have a good understanding of software engineering. A background in computer science/software engineering or robotics is preferred, although applicants from other technical backgrounds will be considered.

The skills below are presented based on what we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you didn’t tick.

Required skills:

• Good programmer with proficiency in Python or C++.

• Ability to research, understand and prototype technical solutions to problems.

• Strong written and verbal communicator.

• Ability to both collaborate and work independently to achieve goals.

• Enthusiasm for engineering and the space industry.

• Effective time management.

Desirable skills:

• Experience using ROS/ROS2

• Knowledge of machine learning, computer vision, image processing and/or embedded systems

Process details:

• 2 months minimum fixed term contract to be agreed with successful candidate.

• In-person Induction Event and in-person/hybrid Showcase Event to be held at an agreed time.

• 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement

How we work:

Craft Prospect is an employee-owned, engineer-led R&D company, delivering enabling technologies and critical services for small satellite missions. Our focus is on developing solutions with real, measurable value to space systems, leveraging tools such as AI, quantum technologies, model-based systems engineering, autonomy and safety assurance, and rapid prototyping. We are currently developing the OPS-SAT Versatile Optical Laboratory for Telecoms (VOLT) mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). This mission brings together all of our satellite technologies and, along with key partners in the UK and beyond, delivers a platform which can be used by the European community for the testing of optical telecoms payloads, software and services.

We are currently a team of 26 based in Glasgow, Scotland in the historic Govan shipyard offices.