OVERVIEW:
How is general purpose GPU technology revolutionizing supercomputing?  How close are we to finding worlds like our Earth around other stars?  How is software engineering evolving to support the next and most complex Mars rover mission ever developed?  These topics and much more will be addressed by leading scientists and technologists at SMC-IT 2011.

The first three successful convocations of the International Conference on Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology (SMC-IT) were held in 2003, 2006, and 2009, respectively, in Pasadena each drawing over 300 attendees drawn from space agencies, national labs, defense, academia, and aerospace and related industry.

The next and Fourth IEEE International Conference on Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology (SMC-IT 2011) is now scheduled for August 2-4, 2011, in Palo Alto, CA.  As previously, this forum will provide an excellent opportunity for system designers, engineers, scientists, practitioners, and space explorers to foster technical interchange on all hardware and software aspects of IT applications in space missions.

SMC-IT 2011 will continue its focus on current IT practice and challenges as well as emerging information technologies with applicability for future space missions.  IT in all aspects of the space mission will be explored, including flight systems, ground systems, science data processing, systems and software engineering, prototype development, modeling and simulation methods, operations, and telecommunications.  The entire IT lifecycle of the mission development will also be covered, such as conceptual design, engineering tools development, integration and test, operations, science analysis, quality control, and outreach.

A few of the confirmed Keynote Speakers include:

• William Borucki, PI, Kepler Mission, NASA Ames Research Center
• Ben Cichy, Software Architect, Mars Science Laboratory, JPL
• Bill Dally, Professor, Stanford University;  Chief Scientist, Nvidia
• Troy Leblanc, Chief Architect, Mission Operations Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center
• Pete Worden, Center Director, NASA Ames Research Center\
• Erick Young, SOFIA Science Mission & Operations Director, USRA
• Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

There will be over 25 contributed papers, ten mini-workshops encompassing approximately 60 speakers, and a vendor exhibition. A partial list of example technology areas for both papers and mini-workshops include:

• Reliable software engineering
• Autonomy and automation for flight and ground operations
• CubeSat / NanoSat software
• Cybersecurity for flight and ground systems
• Robotics, and Human / Robotic interface
• Tools for engineering design, modeling, risk management, or rapid technology mission infusion
• Innovative on-board fault tolerant and fault management methods
• Embedded and real-time IT systems (for control or onboard processing)
• Machine vision and advanced image processing methods
• Next Generation Flight Computing (including fault tolerant computing)
• Novel applications - spacecraft, science, ground systems, telecom
• Innovative operations technologies
• Novel aerospace software engineering methods
• Middleware services
• Knowledge capture, management, and ontologies
• On-board vehicle health diagnosis and repair
• Astronaut health and life support IT technologies
• Science and user software applications
• Tradeoffs of on-board vs ground computing
• Space communications
• Smart instruments for sensor fusion, science, civil and defense
• Mission assurance IT systems
• New software architectures, languages, compilers, tools, for space missions
• Advanced high performance computing systems and applications
• Revolutionary new information technologies

A banquet will cap off the technical conference, concluding with a dinner talk featuring noted astronomer, author, and radio/TV personality Dr Seth Shostak (SETI Institute) who will speak on “Are We Alone?”  This talk will offer a thought provoking look at where we are today in the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, and possible directions that this quest might pursue in the future.
For those attendees with additional time, tours are planned of the NASA Ames Research Center and USGS Menlo Park Science Center.  Additionally, on your own tours are available of the nearby Computer History Museum, Hiller Aviation Museum, and Intel Museum.  However, space is limited on the Ames and USGS tours – signup is on a first come basis.

VENUE:

The conference will be held at the recently restored Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto, CA, which is conveniently located near the historic Palo Alto shopping area, Stanford University, and NASA Ames Research Center in nearby Mountain View.  Hotel, travel, registration and other logistical information are available on the conference web site.

SCHEDULE:

Regular Registration Now Open
Conference ….. August 2-4, 2011

EXHIBITS:

Interested in exhibiting or providing sponsorship through a corporation grant?  If so, please contact us at exhibits@smc-it.org or call Pat Elson at (650) 604-4498.

CALL FOR STUDENT VOLUNTEERS:

If you are a full time student and have an interest in volunteering to help with conference operations, please drop us an email at info@smc-it.org.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For more detailed information on specific IT topic areas, papers, schedule, and general logistics information please refer to the conference website:

http://smc-it.org

To be placed on the SMC-IT information mailing list, please send an email to:

smc-it-join@smc-it.org

To be removed from the list, please send a blank email to:

smc-it-leave@smc-it.org

We look forward to seeing you in Palo Alto in August 2011!

CONFERENCE CHAIR:

Larry Bergman (+1 818 393-5314)
chairs@smc-it.org