In this paper we present two examples of recent investigations that we have
undertaken, applying Machine Learning (ML) neural networks (NN) to image
datasets from outer planet missions to achieve feature recognition. Our first
investigation was to recognize ice blocks (also known as rafts, plates,
polygons) in the chaos regions of fractured ice on Europa. We used a transfer
learning approach, adding and training new layers to an industry-standard Mask
R-CNN (Region-based Convolutional Neural Network) to recognize labeled blocks
in a training dataset. Subsequently, the updated model was tested against a new
dataset, achieving 68% precision. In a different application, we applied the
Mask R-CNN to recognize clouds on Titan, again through updated training
followed by testing against new data, with a precision of 95% over 369 images.
We evaluate the relative successes of our techniques and suggest how training
and recognition could be further improved. The new approaches we have used for
planetary datasets can further be applied to similar recognition tasks on other
planets, including Earth. For imagery of outer planets in particular, the
technique holds the possibility of greatly reducing the volume of returned
data, via onboard identification of the most interesting image subsets, or by
returning only differential data (images where changes have occurred) greatly
enhancing the information content of the final data stream.

采用机器学习神经网络来识别外行星任务的图像数据集，以实现特征识别。我们分别应用了转移学习和更新的训练模型的方法来识别埃罗帕上混沌区断裂冰的冰块，以及通过训练模型来识别土卫六上的云，进一步验证了我们的技术。