NASA’s SPAR Lab has created a new AI tool that could make spacecraft smarter. This tool will help spacecraft collect data without needing help from Earth. “We’ve been limited by how we work so far, and there’s so much more we want to do,” says Evana Gizzi, NASA’s AI research lead.
Missions where spacecraft work with rovers and landers will need AI to succeed. AI will also allow new spacecraft and sensors to join missions in space more easily. “Space missions are getting more complex, and we can’t do it without AI,” Gizzi says.
NASA’s OnAIR tool is designed to make it easier for spacecraft to use AI. It’s available for free on GitHub, where developers can use it. OnAIR was first tested on the NAMASTE mission, where drones measured methane at Alaskan permafrost sites. It helped gather more data by making it easier to process information.
OnAIR was also tested on the International Space Station using a SpaceCube processor. Though the team faced challenges, they managed to test the AI tool successfully.
Source: spacenews
