2018 JPL DARTS Lab Course

Course information

  • The DARTS Lab course will be held September 10-13, 2018 in Room 321-B20 at JPL from 8am to 5pm each day.
  • Download the 2018 course schedule here
  • The course is divided into two parts:

    • Part 1 - DARTS Lab Software Overview/Refresher (Monday-Tuesday Noon)

      Note: If you were registered for the 2017 DARTS Lab Course, please see the note at the bottom of this page.

    • Part 2 - DSENDS for EDL Simulations (Tuesday Noon - Thursday)

      This part will cover Entry, Descent, Landing (EDL) Simulations.

      NOTE: Participants in Part 2 must be "US Persons, due to some ITAR material".

  • Up-to-date information regarding the course will be posted on this page. If you are unable to visit this page, please email with your IP address so you can be whitelisted (from outside JPL).

Course resources

Course mailing list

The mailing list for the course is dartslab.course2018@jpl.nasa.gov and will be used for all information regarding the course. Please feel free to use the list for any questions or comments you may have.

JupyterHub account

We will be using on-line interactive Python notebooks throughout the course. If you do not already have a DARTS Lab JupyterHub account, please visit the JupyterHub registration page and register to create an account for yourself. JPLers should use their JPL user name (the form requests a password but this will be ignored for JPL-ers since their JPL LDAP password will be used instead).

JupyterHub test notebooks

Once you have setup your JupyterHub account, and have received confirmation, please visit the DARTS Lab JupyterHub server at https://dlabnotebooks.jpl.nasa.gov and log in. You will start in your own notebook directory. You can edit and create files in that directory as you wish. Please run the following tests (using the Python 3 kernel) to verify that your account is working properly.

Hello world test

Please run a basic test by clicking on the top level HelloWorld.ipynb entry to open up the notebook (scroll to the bottom of the page to find this notebook). You can execute a cell by entering 'Shift-Enter'. The first cell will print out 'Hello world'.

SOAVector3 notebook

Click on 'SOAVector3.ipynb' to open up the notebook. From the 'Cell' menu select 'Run All'. This will run all the cells. You should see 'Out[]' blocks apprear for the cells that generate outputs. This notebook (in your folder) is editable by you, and you should be able to make changes, run, and save the notebook as you wish. Feel free to play with it.

Feel free to try any of the other notebooks, including ones with 3D graphics, eg, the Quad-rotor examples.

Q&A site account

If you do not already have a user account on the DARTS Lab Q&A site, please visit the site and register to create an account for yourself (click on the upper right corner link). JPLers can use their LDAP password, while others will have to set a password. This site contains information on the DARTS lab software and will be used during the course.

Non-JPL attendees

JPL badge access

Non-JPLers who do not have badge access to JPL should email to initiate a visit request as soon as possible so that you get on lab to attend the course.

Arriving at JPL

When you arrive at JPL (see map) you can park in the visitor's parking lot, and check in at the Visitor Center to get badged. Please arrive early (recommend 7:15am) since this can take some time. Please remember to bring proper ID (passports for non-US persons). You will need an escort while on the JPL premises, and there will be someone to meet you at the visitor center at 7:40am to take you to the 321-B20 meeting room.

Wireless access

There is a guest WiFi network available that you will be able to use while at JPL.

What you need to bring with you

A laptop with a Web browser. Non-JPLers will be able to connect to the guest network. We will be using Python notebooks for live sessions throughout the course and a working knowledge of Python is highly recommended.

Contact info

Email: Abhi Jain (jain@jpl.nasa.gov, (818) 636-4794)

Note for JPL Employees who registered for the DARTS Lab course in 2017:

Due to issues in the LMS course registration system, you may incorrectly show up as already registered for the 2018 course. First delete your old registration, then re-register. You should receive a confirmation email that you are registered for the 2018 course.