NASA’s new project, influenced by OpenAI’s AI model, ChatGPT, promises to revolutionize communication in space missions. According to a recent report by The Guardian, NASA aims to create an interactive AI system that would aid astronauts in executing maneuvers, conducting scientific experiments, and much more. The goal is to enable more efficient, conversational interactions with spacecrafts and provide real-time alerts and insights about the solar system.
This AI technology will first be deployed on NASA’s Lunar Gateway, an upcoming space station set to orbit the Moon. Lunar Gateway is a crucial component of NASA’s ambitious Artemis mission, and the introduction of a ChatGPT-like AI interface on the space station signifies a significant stride in space technology.
NASA’s AI system will use natural language processing to allow astronauts to seek expert advice and guidance for experiments or maneuvers. This eliminates the need for the crew to peruse complex manuals, significantly boosting the efficiency of their operations.
Beyond facilitating human interactions, the AI system will also play a pivotal role in maintaining the Lunar Gateway’s operations when it’s unoccupied. As outlined on NASA’s dedicated small business support page for Lunar Gateway, the space station will rely heavily on AI and machine learning technologies for various tasks. These include autonomous operations of science payloads, data transmission prioritization, health management of the Gateway, and more.
Dr. Larissa Suzuki highlighted an interesting use-case scenario where the AI system could troubleshoot data transmission glitches and other digital outages autonomously. Given the impracticality of sending an engineer to space for every issue, the AI’s ability to handle such tasks is incredibly beneficial.
