NASA to develop AI for space, working on ChatGPT-like chatbot for astronauts to communicate with spacecrafts

AI (artificial intelligence) has been doing rounds in every corner of the Earth for a while and now it has found its way to the space. According to reports, NASA intends to deploy an AI assistant similar to ChatGPT in space.

This AI assistant will assist astronauts in communicating with their spacecraft and mission controllers, as well as provide support for complex tasks and space experiments.

Engineers familiar with the project have revealed that the initial phase of testing for this AI-powered chatbot will take place on the Lunar Gateway, a space station slated for the launch in 2024 as a part of the Artemis programme.

.@NASA scientists are developing AI to help guide future astronauts’ navigation of the Moon using lunar landmarks and data gathered from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

This new tech could help where GPS is unreliable: https://t.co/UMM3Y8Idlf pic.twitter.com/GUHSivuXOK

— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) December 20, 2022

What is Lunar Gateway?

In contrast to the International Space Station (ISS) positioned in low Earth orbit, NASA plans to deploy a new space station in lunar orbit. This upcoming station will be powered by solar energy and is specifically designed to provide extensive support for NASA's Artemis campaign.

The primary objective of Artemis is to return astronauts to the lunar surface. The Lunar Gateway, as the new station is called, will feature docking ports to accommodate all visiting spacecrafts and provide living and working space for the crew. Dr. Larissa Suzuki, a visiting researcher at NASA, and a technical director at Google, expressed the vision of establishing conversational interactions with space vehicles, and enabling two-way communication.

This concept aims to enable spacecraft to provide alerts and share intriguing discoveries they encounter within the solar system and beyond. The researcher emphasised that such a notion is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction, alluding to the iconic film 2001: A Space Odyssey, where the supercomputer HAL 9000 engages in conversational exchanges with the mission pilots aboard a spaceship bound for Jupiter.

AI-enabled interplanetary communications network to detect and resolve glitches

Larissa highlights the development of an interplanetary communications network with AI capabilities. The network can identify and address glitches, alerting mission operators about potential transmission failures.

It also features a conversational interface to assist astronauts in seeking guidance. Dr. Suzuki explores the deployment of machine learning for collaborative updates among spacecraft, eliminating the need to transmit data back to Earth. These advancements enhance efficiency and foster collaborative learning in space missions.