Aerospace engineering doctoral candidate combines game theory with space science

As a young child, Rehman Qureshi had a fascination with space travel and a dream of working for NASA, so he did what any ambitious kid would do: he went to the NASA career website, sorted by alphabetical order and decided he would become an aerospace engineer. 

Now, Qureshi is in his final semester of earning a doctorate in aerospace engineering, and his enterprising nature hasn’t slowed down. As one of the 8% of applicants accepted to serve as a Department of Defense SMART Scholar, a dedicated researcher and president of the Graduate Student Council, the Dothan, Alabama, native stays busy.

But Qureshi maintains a bit of that child-like wonder with his research project: developing a game that models economic competition in the space industry. 

Machine modeling 

Qureshi works in the 3i Space Dynamics lab under Associate Professor Davide Guzzetti of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. 

“My research is a conglomeration of three separate areas: artificial intelligence (AI), modeling space systems and game design,” Qureshi said. “We’re modelling competition and using AI to step into the role of these constellation operators in the industry, seeing if AI can optimize better than humans can.” 

The lab draws inspiration from reinforcement learning, a machine learning technique where AI is optimized through gamified simulations. 

“Because it's not feasible to repeatedly launch real satellite internet constellations, we model the astrodynamics and economic rules of the satellite internet market and allow AI agents to train and learn millions of times in accelerated simulations.” Qureshi said. 

The role of the AI agents is to learn through gameplay and autonomously innovate satellite business strategies. The AI output is studied in conjunction with human output to simulate potential competition in the satellite market. 

Qureshi recognizes that this may seem complicated, which is why his lab developed an engaging board game that both furthers their research and makes the science behind their work more accessible to the public. 

Not your average board game 

The lab ran multiple sessions of the game, with control groups playing a standardized version and experimental groups playing a modified version with regulations and policy measures such as satellite insurance and debris penalties. 

The researchers then measured numerous variables, such as funds, profits and losses, numbers of satellites in orbit and their lifespans, as well as environmental impact. 

As a result of actual gameplay observed in the lab, Qureshi and his colleagues have amassed a collection of data that provides insight into human behavior. 

“The unexpected strategies that emerged as players got comfortable with the game were really interesting,” Qureshi said. “We saw players colluding, creating side markets to manage risks and even helping cover each other’s satellite costs to compete indirectly. These sorts of emergent dynamics are something we hope to explore in the future.” 

And while the game is designed to model private industry competition now, the goal is for it to be easily adaptable for both private and public sectors. 

“The game is intended to be malleable,” Qureshi said. “We want to be able to maneuver it and add certain pieces to it to study different issues in the aerospace industry.” 

Qureshi hopes that his work — especially the game — will become a useful educational tool. 

“I hope that the impact of my work will be threefold,” he said. “I hope that the board game can be used as an instruction tool and a strategy simulation tool, that the AI we’re using can be more widespread and that it can help both the government and industry partners make sure they’re not jumping into something they can’t afford.” 

Auburn aerospace in the third degree 

After graduating with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from Auburn, Qureshi spent a few years working in the industry. However, he decided to return to the Plains and leap back into graduate school when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

Once he wrapped up his master’s degree, he knew his time with his research lab wasn’t quite done, so he continued on to pursue his doctorate. 

“During my undergraduate career, I had the privilege of learning from some truly legendary professors,” Qureshi said. “Our department chair, Dr. Thurow, has done an exceptional job of growing the department with some of the best new faculty, and Dr. Guzzetti was the main reason I decided to return to Auburn for graduate school. The mentorship I have received from him has truly shaped my career trajectory and set me on the path to push scientific boundaries.” 

Toward space travel 

Qureshi still has the goal of working for NASA one day — though perhaps surprisingly, with another title that starts with an “A:” astronaut. 

“I’m looking forward to my research position with the Air Force Research Lab after I graduate,” Qureshi said. “I’m honored to conduct research that can help keep our nation safe and secure. But on the more aspirational and extremely ambitious level, I’d love to one day go on to Air Force Test Pilot School, and then hopefully astronaut candidacy.”