Brian Coltin

Software engineers love to dump on the R language. But exactly because it is so different, R has much to teach us! This post explores a radical aspect of the R ecosystem, 'reverse dependency checks', and the case for extreme empathy in software maintenance.

My recent reading

The RATTLE Motion Planning Algorithm for Robust Online Parametric Model Improvement with On-Orbit Validation, @KeenanAlbee , Monica Ekal, @brian_coltin , @RV_space_robots , Richard Linares, David W. Miller.

One thing I love about engineering for human spaceflight: robots! 🤖 Want to help @NASA program one? We are looking for high school and undergrad students to design programs to move "Astrobee" free-flying robots on @Space_Station. Register by May 16! nasacentral.force.com/s/course-offer…

Buzz, Buzz! 🐝 The Astrobee program has operated over 750 hours on the @Space_Station, completing over 100 activities, from tech demonstrations to assisting in experiments. Learn more HERE>> go.nasa.gov/3kunb58

Want to work on the software for a robot on the space station? Apply here! (or tell your students!) nasacentral.force.com/s/course-offer…

The Astrobees run #ROS, you can find the source code here: github.com/nasa/astrobee

My latest project, ISAAC, has been released open source! It includes tools for long-term autonomous space vehicle caretaking, such as mapping, user interface, and more! github.com/nasa/isaac

Meet the #Astrobee free-flying robots 🤖 I recently supported teams from MIT, @ISR_Lisboa & @KTHuniversity with some ReSwarm operations on @Space_Station as they investigate the potential of autonomous robots to perform operations & repairs in orbit. #CosmicKiss

Astrobee Will Find Astronauts’ Lost Socks ift.tt/3klAwMR

One of my current projects! nasa.gov/feature/ames/m…

🤔😂😂😂🤣🤨🙄

Yesterday we had a very successful test session aboard the International Space Station with a NASA Astrobee, focused on optimal motion planning methods targeting on-orbit assembly tasks. More info at tiny.cc/va4iuz @istecnico @ISR_Lisboa @MITAeroAstro @NASAAmes

The fetish that everything should be learned from big data sets rather than developing algorithms for intelligent systems seems like Soviet Lysenkoism where it was believed that all properties of crops were absorbed from the environment. Millions of people starved to death. 1/4

A "free thinker" is usually just someone too dumb to know where they got their ideas from.

Women’s Shelter Trailer Stolen - Please Help! gofund.me/4cfef4a6

Past six months of reading!

😍 Find someone that looks at you the way @Astro_Megan looks at Bumble, one of our #Astrobee 🤖 robots. Queen, Honey, and Bumble are three free-flying helpers aboard the @Space_station now. Learn more:nasa.gov/astrobee