February 13, 2025, Steve (Siavash) Tavana, Toronto Metropolitan University

PhD Candidate, Department of Aerospace Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University
2:15 p.m.
310 Kelly Hall

"Distributed Autonomy in Space Exploration: How can AI Help?"

Abstract:  Human curiosity and exploration have driven us beyond our planet and into the depths of the oceans. These remarkable achievements not only satisfy our innate desire to understand the unknown but also ignite a deeper urge for discovery. To advance the technologies required for space exploration missions, NASA has released its 2024 Technology Taxonomy. Simultaneously, the International Space Exploration Coordination Group, comprising 14 space agencies, has outlined a Global Exploration Roadmap. A re-view of these pivotal documents reveals that over 70% of active projects in space robotics and autonomous systems are at early technology readiness levels (TRLs 2 and 3 out of 9), emphasizing a pressing need for continued research and development in these domains.

In this talk, we will explore recent advancements in autonomous space systems designed to collaboratively perform on-orbit servicing tasks, such as assembling and inspecting complex space structures. These technologies are poised to play a critical role in constructing space habitats both in deep space and on the surfaces of other celestial bodies. Furthermore, this presentation will delve into the exciting poten-tial of distributed autonomous space systems, which promise to enable missions of greater complexity and extended duration. The immediate advantages of such systems include reduced mission costs, rapid deployment, enhanced versatility, and the realization of missions once deemed impossible. Ultimately, we will see how artificial intelligence could be a powerful tool to develop the foundational technologies needed for such systems.

Bio:  Steve Tavana is a PhD candidate in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. His research focuses on developing advanced Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) al-gorithms, integrated with artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enable autonomous on-orbit op-erations. Specifically, his work addresses assembly and inspection tasks using multiple robotic spacecraft. Steve was also involved in the ESSENCE CubeSat project, a Canadian Space Agency-led initiative span-ning three Canadian universities. Currently, he is advancing distributed autonomous space systems for the next generation of space exploration missions.

Steve earned his BSc and MASc in aerospace engineering from Sharif University of Technology and Toronto Metropolitan University, respectively. He is a recipient of a Canadian Space Agency grant and served as a 2024 Space Generation Congress delegate in the NASA Exploration Working Group. Addition-ally, Steve has been awarded the Ontario Graduate Scholarship three times for his research contributions to autonomous space systems development.