Intern - Robotics and Computer Vision

Astroscale is seeking a passionate and motivated individual for a 3-month internship position focusing on cutting-edge robotics and computer vision for space applications. This R&D project aims to accelerate robotics development and unlock new capabilities by integrating a modern edge computing platform with a robotic arm system. 

In this position, you will work closely with our global robotics experts, actively communicating and coordinating with the Japanese office to align on technical implementation of this system. You will also take responsibility for planning and achieving the project's goals and objectives directly with the Director of Machine Learning and Robotics to advance the technologies needed to realise our mission of a circular space economy. 

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic and rapidly growing global company that is developing in-orbit services technologies to address the safe and sustainable development of space.  

This position is full-time hybrid, but since it involves hardware development most of the time will be spent in our offices in Kinshi-cho. 

Project Scope 

• Integration of Edge Computing Platform: Develop and integrate a modern CPU+GPU platform with a 6DoF robotic arm and a vision system. 

• SpaceROS Demonstration: Implement and demonstrate SpaceROS-based robot control. 

• Containerized Applications: Evaluate how to deploy containerized applications in the platform, including a simple robot control system and a small spacecraft simulation based on open-source tools. 

• Future Focus: Lay the groundwork to incorporate visual servoing for capturing moving targets. 

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the Japanese office to refine the technical details of the project while managing goals and milestones with the headquarters. 

• Integrate hardware components (robotic arm, camera, and edge computing system) to create a functional robotics prototype. 

• Design and execute tests for evaluating system performance and demonstrating proof-of-concept capabilities. 

• Document the development process and share findings in coordination with global teams. 

• Explore and propose machine learning approaches to realise a robust visual servoing demonstration.  

Desired skills 

• Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python. Other common languages like C or C++ are a good plus. 

• Robotics Knowledge: Familiarity with robotic systems, control theory, ROS (Robot Operating System), and integration of hardware components. 

• Machine Learning: experience with frameworks like TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy,  Matplotlib or similar. Knowledge of ML-based infrastructure such as AWS, GoogleCloud, ML Flow and also computer vision tools, like CNN models and OpenCV, are a nice plus. 

• Containerization Tools: Familiarity with Docker for deploying and managing containerized applications. 

• Communication: Fluent in English, with strong interpersonal skills to coordinate across cultural and organizational boundaries. Japanese is a big plus to facilitate collaboration with the Japanese robotics team. 

Duration

Starting from February until the end of April

Location 

Tokyo, Japan 

Entity 

Astroscale Holdings, Inc. 

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company solely dedicated to on-orbit servicing across all orbits. 

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing missions, including life extension, in-situ space situational awareness, end-of-life services, and active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous buildup of debris in space. Astroscale is also defining business cases and working with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives for the responsible use of space. 

Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has an international presence with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Israel, and Singapore. Astroscale is a rapidly expanding venture company, working to advance safe and sustainable growth in space and solve a growing environmental concern. Find out more about Astroscale at www.astroscale.com.