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Yang Gao

Lecturer in Space Autonomy

BEng (1st Hons), PhD, SrMIEEE, MIET

Short Biography:

Dr. Yang Gao heads the AI & Autonomy Group in SSC, specializing in AI computing algorithms, computer vision and bionics with major applications to spacecraft design and robotics. She brings years of research experience on solving robotics and control problems using various AI techniques. Since 2004, Yang has been a Principle Investigator, Co-Investigator,  Technical Lead, and Project Manager of internationally teamed projects, funded by EADS Astrium, European Commission (EU), European Space Agency (ESA), UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and UK Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE). Yang is also actively involved in space mission design and promoting the Surrey 'low-cost' engineering approach. As a result, she is involved in international missions and proposals such as ExoMars, MoonLITE, Moonraker, LunarEX as well as the UK Penetrator Consortium.

Yang has co-authored over 60 papers in international journals and conference proceedings, 1 book published by McGraw-Hill, 2 book chapters published by Physica-Verlag, and 7 ESA and STFC technical reports. She is an Associated Editor of IES Journal B-Intelligent Devices and Systems and serves Editorial Review Board of Scientific Journals International, and is a invited reviewer of various IEEE Transactions and International Journals. Yang was an invited session chair of IEEE International Conference on Decision & Control in Hawaii, USA in 2003 and an invited speaker at Astrobiology and Planetary Exploration Meeting in UCL, UK.

Prior to joining SSC in 2004, Yang had been an awardee of the prestigious Singapore Millennium Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship for two years and researched on intelligent control for autonomous systems and robots. She gained the B.Eng. (First Class Honors) degree and Ph.D. degree from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2000 and 2003 respectively.

Research Interests:

Yang's research interests are motivated by promoting AI techniques in space (incl. computational intelligence, computer vision and biomimetics) and low-cost engineering design for space systems & missions to the Moon, Mars and Europa etc. The following research topics have been undertaken since 2004 within this Group by PhD, MSc and MEng/BEng project students and research staff. New PhD applications are still welcome to develop the relevant technologies to the next step. More information about the Group can be found in the Autonomy Group page.

Vision-Based Sensing & Autonomous Navigation

This research is to investigate vision processing and behavior-based navigation algorithms to achieve autonomous target tracking, localization & obstacle avoidance for planetary rovers and/or high precision landing systems. Existing projects include STFC-funded study on planetary rover technologies, ExoMars PanCam payload study, EU FP7 project on Planetary Robotics Vision Ground Processing (PROVISG), joint project with BJUT on lunar rover GNC for Chang’E mission, and SSTL Magnolia-1 project on precision lander autonomy.

Multi-agent Reasoning for Semi-/Fully Autonomous Robotic Agents

This research is to study learning and reasoning strategies (such as rule-based method, reinforcement/Q learning) to achieve autonomous agents. There is a growing interest of applying multi-agents in future space missions such as sensor network, formation flying, mobile agents as well as astronaut support robotic agents. This research can help to address issues like decision-making, task planning and scheduling for multi-agent systems and to support future manned and unmanned space missions.

Bio-Inspired Planetary Explorer

This project is to develop a drilling instrument for subsurface sampling and conducting scientific experiments (such as thermal conductivity, water and organics detection) for future planetary missions. The instrument implements a novel cost-efficient drilling mechanism, inspired by nature where insects such as female wood wasps and female locusts use their ovipositor valves to drill into trees or soil to lay eggs. ESA is now funding us to develop the theoretical model and engineering prototypes.

Micro Space Vehicles: Rovers, Penetrators...

This research aims to design and develop low mass, low volume and low power space systems for low-cost planetary missions, which should provide excellent platforms for space autonomy. Development of a micro-rover would include chassis design, autonomous navigation and locomotion control. Existing studies include ESA-funded study RCET on chassis design covered traction analysis using Bekker theory, mean free path analysis based on rock distribution and rover mobility evaluation software (incl. 3D simulation). In terms of developing micro-penetrators, our group is a major partner of UK penetrator consortium consisting of over 15 partners globally such as UCL/MSSL, QinetiQ, Open University, and Imperial College, etc. EADS Astrium is now funding the group to investigate low-cost attitude control means for planetary penetrators.

UK Lunar Missions: MoonLITE & Moonraker

MoonLITE and Moonraker were proposed by SSTL/SSC under a Pre-phase A study of low-cost UK lunar mission concepts funded by STFC. The study provides a comprehensive mission rationale, mission profile design from launch, landing to mission operation, as well as system-level definition for propulsion, AOCS, communication, power, and science payload. The MoonLITE is to commerce the Phase A study in early 2009.

Research Collaborations:

UK Penetrator Consortium with over 15 international partners, EU PROVISG Consortium of 14 partners across Europe and USA, ISAE, NASA Ames/JPL, DFKI, DLR, Beihang University, Beijing University of Technology, etc

Teaching:

EEM.ROB Space Robotics; Module Coordinator of EE2.ISM Introduction to Space Mission Design and EE2.EPS Engineering Design and Professional Studies; EDPS and PDP Course Coordinator 

Grants & Awards

Media Interviews


Contact Details

Email yang.gao@surrey.ac.uk
Telephone +44 1483 683446
Room BAU21
Postal Address Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey, UK
GU2 7XH

 

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