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At least 55 records · Page 3

Usage of ChatGPT for Engineering Design and Analysis Tool Development

ChatGPT, a generative AI large language model, has recently captured significant attention in both the computer science community and the broader public domain. It has demonstrated a wide range of capabilities, from answering simple questions to writing fully functional computer code. This study spotlights both the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT when addressing engineering problems. The model's capacity to generate practical engineering tools is highlighted through an example of a prompt that leads to an interactive plotting tool, enabling the examination of the fluid boundary layer around a fan blade. Subsequently, the paper also uncovers potential pitfalls in ChatGPT’s application, shown through an unsuccessful attempt to use ChatGPT to automate a process in Ansys Workbench through scripting. The research further investigates ChatGPT's proficiency in addressing inquiries and providing explanations about the functionalities of OpenMDAO, an open-source, multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization tool developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. Finally, an optimization methodology, developed with ChatGPT’s help, is applied to the structural optimization of a fan blade. The developed optimization method utilizes T-Blade3 for geometry generation, Ansys Mechanical for meshing and finite element analysis, and sci-kit learn’s MLPRegressor method to generate a trained neural network model of the design space. OpenMDAO is then used to find the optimal point within the design space. The outcome is a significant reduction in stress in the optimized model—less than one-fifth of the stress value in the baseline model.

Design

Transform Your Search Capability Using Insight Engines

Enable rapid discovery of NASA’s open science data, software and documentation. Support NASA’s open science goals and infrastructure. Promote interdisciplinary science. Prototype emerging technologies and search techniques including Large Language Models.

Kaylin Bugbee

Atlas: Navigating NASA’s Knowledge Universe with AI-Powered Natural Language Queries

NASA has a vast archive of engineering guidelines, standards, and best practices collected over decades. This encompasses a breadth of topics from rocketry and engineering standards to risk management and space-related health issues. This wealth of information, while invaluable to NASA engineers, staff, and the public, is too extensive for any individual to fully comprehend. To address this challenge, we have developed Atlas, a tool within NASA's Mission Cloud Platform that enables users to query these diverse sources effectively. Atlas allows users to ask natural language questions and receive answers grounded in factual information from source documents. The tool provides responses with direct quotations and links to original documents, ensuring transparency and accuracy. It can address a wide range of queries, from specific technical details like safe distances for rocket launches from lightning to broader topics such as crew health requirements for long-duration space missions, corrosion protection in low Earth orbit, and NASA's agreements with various entities. In developing Atlas, we encountered and overcame several technical challenges. Large Language Models often struggle with consistently providing accurate information, especially for highly specialized topics. We implemented strategies to prevent hallucinations and ensure the reliability of responses, even for complex questions on topics ranging from NASA Mission Classes to intricate rocket science concepts. Additionally, we addressed the challenges of delivering quick responses while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Our presentation will detail the innovative approaches we employed to optimize performance and efficiency, making Atlas a powerful and practical tool for accessing NASA's extensive knowledge base.

Artificial Intelligence

Kaona: Deep Searching and Curating Data from Aviation Safety Reporting Systems

Context: Several works in the literature have examined how safety narrative databases can be leveraged to share lessons learned. However, less attention has been given to augmenting existing processes for mining these safety reporting system databases. Aim: In this work, we introduce Kaona: An interface that weaves machine learning in existing aviation safety database mining activities. Method: We provide a use case of search, curation and newsletter writing to showcase how Kaona features build on existing processes and on its own to enhance information retrieval, curation and synthesis of narratives. Results: We created two instances of Kaona internally for evaluation, one using publicly available NASA’s ASRS narratives and another using publicly available C3RS narratives. Data ranged from 1998 to 2024. Conclusion: Our tool provides a new way to explore safety narratives, serving to re-imagine how text databases can benefit of novel information retrieval mechanisms in the era of large language models.

ASRS

Kaona: Deep Searching and Curating Aviation Safety Reporting Systems

Context: Several works in the literature have examined how safety narrative databases can be leveraged to share lessons learned. However, less attention has been given in augmenting existing processes of safety reporting systems. Aim: In this work, we introduce Kaona: An interface that weaves machine learning in existing aviation safety reporting systems activities. Method: We provide a use case of search, curation and newsletter writing to showcase how Kaona features build on existing processes and on its own to enhance information retrieval, curation and synthesis of narratives. Results: We created two instances of Kaona internally for evaluation, one using all public NASA's ASRS narratives and another using all public C3RS narratives. Data ranged from 1998 to 2024. Conclusion: Our tool provides a new way to explore safety narratives, serving to re-imagine how text databases can benefit of novel information retrieval mechanisms in the era of large language models.

asrs

Kaona: Deep Searching and Curating Safety Reporting Systems

Context: Several works in the literature have examined how safety narrative databases can be leveraged to share lessons learned. However, less attention has been given in augmenting existing processes of safety reporting systems. Aim: In this work, we introduce Kaona: An interface that weaves machine learning in existing aviation safety reporting systems activities. Method: We provide a use case of search, curation and newsletter writing to showcase how Kaona features build on existing processes and on its own to enhance information retrieval, curation and synthesis of narratives. Results: We created two instances of Kaona internally for evaluation, one using all public NASA's ASRS narratives and another using all public C3RS narratives. Data ranged from 1998 to 2024. Conclusion: Our tool provides a new way to explore safety narratives, serving to re-imagine how text databases can benefit of novel information retrieval mechanisms in the era of large language models.

asrs

LLMs and GenAI Tools to Depict Contributions of Human Systems to Spaceflight Tasks Execution

Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) technologies, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) capable of sophisticated syntax analysis, offer substantial potential in automating complex processes, thereby saving time and human resources. This study explores the development of an LLM-driven model designed to analyze and categorize a diverse set of Mars mission tasks into 18 predefined Human System Task Categories (HSTCs) based on their textual descriptions. As part of developing the Crew Health and Performance – Probabilistic Risk Assessment (CHP-PRA projects Performance Risk Model (PRisM) proof-of-concept, we established a framework to project performance scores from small-scale tests onto a preliminary list of Mars tasks. The foundation of our model was a comprehensive spreadsheet populated by NASA experts and clinicians, which detailed each Mars task alongside binary indicators of HSTC involvement. This dataset enabled the initial application of supervised ML, training and testing on existing HSTC labels. The HSTCs were originally defined from a medical system perspective, focusing on task impairments due to deteriorated human health. To expand our model's scope to include categories impacting performance, we face the challenge of generating binary labels (0 or 1) for new categories without pre-existing data. We address this by employing Generative AI (GenAI) software to determine whether a given task involved a new category by asking, "Does task A involve using category B?" We validate our approach by comparing the GenAI's binary classifications with the expert-provided labels for existing HSTCs. Notably, we utilize Ollama [4], a locally hosted GenAI tool that does not require cloud access, thus safeguarding NASA's proprietary data from unauthorized exposure. This study demonstrates the feasibility of leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to advance research, paving the way for automation and rapid decision-making in space exploration.

Mona Matar

AI Curation Methods for NASA Scientific Data

The NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) serves as a central hub for sharing and accessing NASA's vast collection of scientific data, supporting researchers across diverse fields. To enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of this data, we are leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques as part of the AI for Curation project. By integrating large language models (LLMs) into our data curation workflow, we aim to streamline the entire process—from data submission to user interaction. This initiative focuses on improving key areas, including data ingestion, curation, and user engagement with curated datasets, impacting multiple domains and a wide user base. First, we are developing tools that can automatically parse data in various formats, using LLMs to convert unstructured data into structured, standardized formats. This reduces the manual effort required for curation, allowing curators to focus on more critical scientific analyses. Additionally, AI and machine learning (ML) models are being implemented to automate data validation and verification, ensuring the highest standards of data quality and reliability. Finally, we are creating a conversational AI agent to interact with the curated scientific studies in OSDR, helping users easily navigate the repository and access relevant data. By enhancing data discoverability and accessibility, these advancements will foster new research opportunities and promote the principles of open science.

Walter Alvarado

Development of Digital Twin Technologies for Climate Projections

Climate projections are increasingly needed for adaptation, climate resilience and related decision making. However, existing projections have systematic biases, are limited in scope, and are not readily available for most potential users. While the ideal of an observational data-driven ‘digital twin’ for climate is initially attractive, there is only a very limited set of climate data available with which to train such a tool. Nonetheless, we are confident that there is a role for ‘digital twin technologies’ in removing biases, increasing computational efficiency, expanding scenarios and data accessibility.

digital twins

Advancing Air Mobility: Few-Shot Learning in Airspace Research and Development

The advancement of Air Mobility, particularly in the context of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), represents a transformative shift in aviation's role in modern society. A comprehensive understanding of requirement consistency is paramount for fostering interoperability, standardization, and cost-effectiveness within airspace systems. This paper introduces a novel approach utilizing a pretrained Sentence Transformers model and few-shot learning to address this crucial aspect task of flagging potentially inconsistent requirements. Few-shot learning supports the development of this future through ensuring the accuracy and consistency of identified requirements with little human oversight. This approach offers a promising solution to the challenges of requirement consistency identification in airspace systems. By harnessing the power of advanced NLP techniques with fine-tuned models, stakeholders can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability; ultimately fostering improved interoperability, standardization, and cost-effectiveness in airspace management.

Natural Language Processing

Hydrology Copilot: A Cloud-Native Ai System for Hydrological Data Analysis

The emergence of AI-driven Earth observation systems promises to broaden access to petabyte-scale geospatial data beyond domain specialists. However, translating this vision into operational scientific infrastructure requires addressing fundamental challenges in data virtualization, code transparency, and domain-specific reasoning. We present Hydrology Copilot, a cloud-native AI framework for natural-language-driven analysis of Earth observation data. To demonstrate operational capabilities at scale, we implement the system using NASA's North American Land Data Assimilation System version 3 (NLDAS-3), which provides surface meteorological forcing and land-surface model output across North and Central America at 1-km resolution, from which drought diagnostics are derived. The system integrates five core contributions: (1) scalable data virtualization using Kerchunk-based cloud optimized access, achieving a 1.5 to 4.6 times improvement in I/O latency across benchmark queries spanning regional single-day extractions (4.6 times speedup) to continental monthly aggregations (1.5 times speedup); (2) transparent code generation through Microsoft Azure AI Foundry agents that expose executable Python workflows for scientific verification; (3) persistent conversational memory enabling multi-turn analytical discourse across sessions; (4) intelligent query validation that enforces dataset boundaries and resolves ambiguous requests before execution; and (5) a multi-agent architecture coordinating query parsing, code generation, and visualization. We evaluate the system through drought-monitoring workflows, demonstrating reliable code generation, accurate results validated against reference computations and the operational U.S. Drought Monitor, and efficient operation across increasingly complex tasks. By bridging natural-language interfaces with rigorous hydrological analysis, Hydrology Copilot advances beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations to provide a deployable framework for operational Earth science applications.

Data virtualization

Model-based Systems Engineering: Creation and Implementation of Model Validation Rules for MOS 2.0

Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an emerging modeling application that is used to enhance the system development process. MBSE allows for the centralization of project and system information that would otherwise be stored in extraneous locations, yielding better communication, expedited document generation and increased knowledge capture. Based on MBSE concepts and the employment of the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), extremely large and complex systems can be modeled from conceptual design through all system lifecycles. The Operations Revitalization Initiative (OpsRev) seeks to leverage MBSE to modernize the aging Advanced Multi-Mission Operations Systems (AMMOS) into the Mission Operations System 2.0 (MOS 2.0). The MOS 2.0 will be delivered in a series of conceptual and design models and documents built using the modeling tool MagicDraw. To ensure model completeness and cohesiveness, it is imperative that the MOS 2.0 models adhere to the specifications, patterns and profiles of the Mission Service Architecture Framework, thus leading to the use of validation rules. This paper outlines the process by which validation rules are identified, designed, implemented and tested. Ultimately, these rules provide the ability to maintain model correctness and synchronization in a simple, quick and effective manner, thus allowing the continuation of project and system progress.

Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

Interface To The SURE Program

Abstract Semi-Markov Specification Interface to SURE Tool (ASSIST) computer program is interface program enabling reliability engineers to design large semi-Markov mathematical models accurately. Language enables efficient description of large, complicated systems. Also offers, as part of bundled package with SURE and PAWS/STEM, two other reliable analysis programs developed by Systems Validation Methods group at Langley Research Center.

Johnson, Sally C.

Automated generation of reliability models

The abstract semi-Markov specification interface to the SURE (Semi-Markov Range Evaluator) tool (ASSIST) program allows the user to describe the Markov model in a high-level language. Instead of listing the individual states of the model, the user specifies the rules governing the behavior of the system, and these are used to automatically generate the model. A small number of statements in the abstract language can describe a large, complex model. Becuase no assumptions are made about the system being modeled, ASSIST can be used to generate models describing the behavior of any type of system. The abstract model definition and the automatic model generation strategy are described. Analysis of an example fault-tolerant architecture, a triad of processor with cold spare processors, shows how the behavior of a system can be captured by a few general rules. The syntax of the ASSIST input language is then described and demonstrated by creating a model to describe the fault behavior of the example architecture. The flexibility of the abstract language is demonstrated by expanding the example to model multiple triads of processors sharing a pool of cold spare processors.

Johnson, Sally C.

ASSIST user manual

Semi-Markov models can be used to analyze the reliability of virtually any fault-tolerant system. However, the process of delineating all the states and transitions in a complex system model can be devastatingly tedious and error prone. The Abstract Semi-Markov Specification Interface to the SURE Tool (ASSIST) computer program allows the user to describe the semi-Markov model in a high-level language. Instead of listing the individual model states, the user specifies the rules governing the behavior of the system, and these are used to generate the model automatically. A few statements in the abstract language can describe a very large, complex model. Because no assumptions are made about the system being modeled, ASSIST can be used to generate models describing the behavior of any system. The ASSIST program and its input language are described and illustrated by examples.

Johnson, Sally C.

SafeAeroBERT: Towards a Safety-Informed Aerospace-Specific Language Model

As aviation systems continue to operate with high traffic, large amounts of documents containing safety-relevant data continue to be generated via reporting systems such as the ASRS. Advanced natural language processing techniques, specifically pre-trained language models, have shown great success in domain-specific applications; however, the text in aviation safety reports is inundated with jargon and thus not fully utilized by general pre-trained models. In this research, we work towards developing a safety-informed aerospace-specific language model by pre-training a Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformer (BERT) model on reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System and the National Transportation Safety Board. The resulting model, called SafeAeroBERT, is fine-tuned for the specific task of document classification, and can be further tuned for named-entity recognition, relation detection, information retrieval, and summarization. Results from the classification task are compared between SafeAeroBERT, the base BERT, and SciBERT models and show SafeAeroBERT outperforms the general BERT and SciBERT on classifying reports about human factors, aircraft, and procedure. SafeAeroBERT can be used on custom tasks, not limited to document classification, and is intended to aid an intelligent knowledge manager for safety report repositories.

Aviation