Want to help NASA map the Moon? Interested in building high-resolution digital terrain models (DTM)? The NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group is looking for a summer intern student to help create highly accurate maps of the lunar surface using computer vision and high-performance computing. The goal of this work is to provide scientists and NASA mission architects with better information to study the Moon and plan future missions.

This internship involves developing methods to compare large-scale DTMs of the Moon. The work requires some familiarity with the iterative closest point algorithm (ICP), optimization algorithms such as gradient descent, and 3D computer vision.

• The applicant must be an upper-level undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Mathematics.
• A solid background in optimization algorithms.
• Strong C++ skills and experience with KD trees is preferred.
• Experience working with the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) is a plus.
• Start date: any time
• Duration: 3 months, with option to extend into Fall 2010.

Since 1989, IRG has been exploring extreme environments, remote locations, and uncharted worlds. IRG conducts applied research in a wide range of areas including field mobile robots, applied computer vision, geospatial data systems, high-performance 3D visualization, and robot software architecture. NASA Ames is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and is a world leader in information technology and space exploration.

US Citizenship is REQUIRED for these internships.