You might also like...
Check out some other posts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
As nations and private companies prepare to ramp up the number of missions to the Moon, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Texas A&M University have secured a $1 million grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to develop a system to track and monitor resident space objects — including spacecraft, satellites and debris — moving through the vast cislunar space between the Earth and the Moon.
The initiative, called RCAT-CS (Reconfigurable Constellations for Adaptive Tracking in Cislunar Space), will develop intelligent networks of sensor satellites that can be reconfigured to perform resilient tracking of objects as they maneuver through this complex orbital environment.
"Right now, we're seeing an explosive growth in cislunar missions, including everything from commercial lunar landers and orbiters to next-generation spacecraft that secure national interests in this contested domain," said engineering professor Sandeep Singh, Ph.D., RPI’s lead investigator on the project. "But our ability to track what's happening out there hasn't kept pace. Ground-based sensor systems have blind spots and cannot reliably provide measurements. A space-based constellation is the answer, but placing spacecraft in orbit is expensive and solving the resource constraint problem is essential." The cislunar region presents unique challenges for space domain awareness applications. Competing gravitational forces from the Earth and the Moon create complex orbital dynamics, while the sheer distances involved make tracking difficult. When spacecraft and satellites perform maneuvers in this space or behave unexpectedly, current systems can lose track of them entirely.
RCAT-CS will tackle these problems by designing constellations of space-based sensors that can dynamically reposition themselves based on what they're observing. Professor Singh and his colleagues will develop novel algorithms to detect maneuvers made by tracked objects, balance fuel costs, track performance of the sensing satellites, and quantify the uncertainties underlying it all.
The system addresses critical safety and security needs as cislunar space becomes increasingly congested and contested. The research will also advance fundamental knowledge in orbital dynamics and autonomous space systems, with implications for mission planning, collision avoidance, and safe coordination of a growing cislunar economy. Additionally, the project will train the next generation of space engineers in cutting-edge technologies essential for American leadership in space operations.
“Congratulations to Professor Sandeep Singh and his team on securing a research grant in the important area of lunar space exploration,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., the Thomas R. Farino Jr. ’67 and Patricia E. Farino Dean of the School of Engineering. “RPI has always been at the frontier of space exploration, from George Low’s work on the Apollo program to the forthcoming Artemis II mission, led by Commander Reid Wiseman ’97.” “Professor Singh’s work will not only advance research, it will strengthen RPI’s recently launched Aerospace Engineering undergraduate program by bringing the latest research into our classrooms,” Garde added. Looking to know more? Shekhar Garde, Ph.D. is available to discuss this topic. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) officially cut the ribbon on its new Center for Smart Convergent Manufacturing Systems (CSCMS) during an all-day launch event on October 23, 2025. A New York State Center for Advanced Technology, CSCMS will redefine the very nature of manufacturing by combining robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced processing, and human ingenuity to create systems that think, adapt, and evolve alongside human operators.
“Today we mark the official opening of a center with a bold vision: a future where manufacturing systems are not simply automated, but truly intelligent,” said RPI President Martin A. Schmidt ’81 during the ribbon cutting. CSCMS will bring a wealth of opportunities not only to RPI, but across New York State. The new center will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, empowering innovators, driving new technologies, and strengthening the competitiveness of manufacturers. At RPI, students will gain hands-on experience in labs, real-world projects, and entrepreneurial pathways. Faculty and industry partners will gain the resources to translate cutting-edge research into commercial solutions.
“Through simulation, prototyping, and translational research, our faculty and students will work side by side with industry and government to accelerate the development and deployment of smart manufacturing solutions,” said President Schmidt. “This is the RPI model at its very best: turning ideas into impact.” The launch event for CSCMS took place on RPI’s campus and featured keynote remarks, a ribbon cutting, industry panel, poster sessions, lab tours, and demonstrations of robotic manufacturing, human-machine collaboration, smart manufacturing testbeds, intelligent production systems, and data visualization spaces. Industry panel speakers included executives from FuzeHub, Ross Precision Manufacturing, GE Aerospace Research, and The Boeing Company. Interactive student poster sessions covered topics such as robotics, AI, advanced manufacturing, and New York’s future at the convergence of these topics.
“The launch of CSCMS comes at a pivotal time for manufacturing,” said Johnson Samuel, Ph.D., director of CSCMS. “Across industries, we are seeing the convergence of AI, robotics, and data-driven design transforming how products are made. RPI’s long-standing strengths in engineering, computing, and innovation make it the perfect home for this next-generation center.” “The energy and collaboration we saw during this event are a reflection of the momentum behind the entire CSCMS initiative,” said Sandipan Mishra, Ph.D., associate director of CSCMS. “This launch is the start of a sustained effort to shape the future of intelligent manufacturing in New York and beyond.” "It's exciting that as students, we get to work with these cutting-edge technologies up close and be a part of something that’s pushing manufacturing forward,” said RPI graduate student Ammar Barbee ‘25, who recently completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at RPI. “Perusing this kind of research and having access to such advanced equipment enables unique experiences that will really help accelerate our careers.” With the launch of CSCMS, RPI continues to advance its legacy of innovation and partnership, bringing together academia, industry, and government to drive progress in intelligent manufacturing and strengthen New York’s position as a hub for technological excellence.
Gaurav Jain, assistant professor of marketing at the Rensselaer Lally School of Management, examines how individuals make judgments, estimates, and decisions in the absence of complete information. Previously, Jain served as the chief marketing advisor at multiple firms. Below are his thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on customer experience. Voice of the Customer In today's hyper-connected world, the voice of the customer (VoC) is louder and clearer than ever. But how do we sift through this cacophony to understand what our customers are really saying? Enter AI. It's revolutionizing the way customer experience teams handle VoC programs, and as a marketing leader, I find this incredibly exciting.
Take direct customer feedback, for example. We're no longer just collecting survey responses and storing them in a database for quarterly review. AI algorithms, particularly those using natural language processing, are helping us instantly categorize and prioritize this feedback. Imagine an e-commerce platform that can immediately flag a customer's mention of "late delivery" in a post-purchase survey. That's not just efficient; it's customer-centric.
But what about the things customers are saying when they're not directly talking to us? That's where AI-driven sentiment analysis comes in. These tools can scan social media, forums, and review sites to gauge the sentiment behind a customer's words. I've seen hotel chains use this technology to monitor travel forums and review sites. If a guest mentions "noisy rooms," even without lodging a direct complaint, the brand can proactively look into soundproofing solutions.
Then there's inferred feedback, the kind you get by reading between the lines. AI can analyze customer behavior, like frequent page visits without conversion or cart abandonment, to suggest what might be going wrong. For instance, an online fashion retailer could use AI to figure out why a particular dress gets a lot of views but few purchases. Maybe it's the sizing, maybe it's the price, but the point is, you get to know without having to ask.
And it doesn't stop at gathering feedback. AI is helping us turn this raw data into actionable insights. We can predict future behavior, like churn rates, based on past feedback. This allows us to be proactive rather than reactive, which is a game-changer in customer experience management.
Finally, let's talk about what happens after we've gathered all this feedback. AI is ensuring that every customer who takes the time to share their thoughts receives an immediate and appropriate response. Chatbots can handle common queries or concerns, making the customer feel heard and valued right away.
So, from the perspective of a marketing leader, it's not just about the efficiency that AI brings to VoC programs. It's about the opportunity to deepen our connection with customers. By truly understanding their words, their sentiments, and even their behaviors, we can craft experiences that resonate on a human level. And in a world that's increasingly digital, that human touch is what sets a brand apart.
Customer Service It's truly intriguing to observe how AI is weaving its way into the customers’ experience.
Online, chatbots are making waves. Chatbots are not just digital tools; they're our first point of contact, bridging the gap between brands and consumers. However, there was always the question of accuracy versus efficiency while managing these chatbots – AI has answered that question. AI chatbots provide real-time yet accurate assistance, making the digital shopping journey feel more interactive. Companies can reduce customer dropout while avoiding the expense of managing a large human customer service team.
AI is revolutionizing phone-based customer service as well. Voice recognition allows natural language processing for easier navigation, while predictive analysis anticipates caller needs based on their history. Enhanced personalization means customers no longer repetitively provide account details, and emotion detection aids in gauging caller mood. The result? Reduced wait times, more efficient interactions, and a significantly improved telephonic customer experience.
In essence, AI is bridging the gap between technology and human touch in the retail world, making our interactions with brands more meaningful and personalized. Again, companies can do this in a cost-effective manner.
Jain is available to speak with media - - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
