Use AI to control the navigation of satellites and other space assets

Matthew-Mcmullen
4 min readDec 16, 2021

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Advances in artificial intelligence have allowed us to make advances in a variety of fields–and they aren’t confined to uses on our planet that can help us go further in space, from mission planning to clean Earth’s orbit of debris.

We may classify artificial intelligence applications in space into three types of operations: predictable, unexpected, and real time. Even routine activities may be exceedingly complicated, allowing artificial intelligence to play a vital role in automating complexity management or assisting human decision-making.

Because the operational environment is unpredictable, the AI system must be able to respond effectively in a variety of conditions. Real-time constraints may restrict the amount of reasoning that the AI system may accomplish. And it is all because of the quality training data that is fed into the algorithms of AI and ML models.

AI and ML Models for Space Exploration

Satellite operations, in particular, to assist the operation of huge satellite constellations, which include relative positioning, communication, end-of-life management, and so on, is one area where AI applications are being intensively researched.

In space applications, ML systems are frequently employed to approximate complicated representations of the actual world. For example, ML is useful when analyzing large volumes of Earth observation data or telemetry data from satellites.

AI’s potential uses in satellite operations, particularly to support the operation of huge satellite constellations, are also being carefully researched, including relative location, communication, and end-of-life management.

Furthermore, ML systems are increasingly being used to analyze the massive amounts of data generated by each space mission. AI is being used to convey data from certain Mars rovers, and these rovers have even been trained to navigate on their own.

It has gone a great way in the previous several decades, but the intricate models and frameworks required for machine learning will need to be refined before they can be widely used. In addition, AI presently lacks the dependability and flexibility needed in new software; these attributes will need to be enhanced before AI can take over the space sector.

How is Image Annotation Used to Create AI, Ml or Computer Vision Apps?

Computer Vision

Image annotation is one of the most important processes in Computer Vision and is the foundation of a good deal of Artificial Intelligence (AI) products you interact with (CV). Data labellers employ tags, or metadata, in picture annotation to define properties of the data that your AI model should learn to recognize. These annotated pictures are then used to educate the computer to recognize those features when new, unlabeled data is given.

The number of projects dependent on picture annotation has surged tremendously as image data has become more readily available for AI businesses. For enterprises working in the field of machine learning, developing a thorough, fast picture annotation procedure has become more vital (ML).

Use Cases of AI

As we voyage to comets, moons, and planets and explore the possibilities of mining asteroids, AI has made scientific research and exploration much more efficient. AI already plays a vital role in contemporary space exploration, and the complexity of missions will continue to rise, as will the demands placed on maintenance systems, artificially intelligent space probes, and mobile reconnaissance units.

Assistants to Astronauts

A newly designed virtual assistant may be able to detect any threats in long-duration space trips, such as changes in the spaceship environment — such as increasing carbon dioxide — or a potentially dangerous sensor breakdown. It would then notify the personnel and provide inspection recommendations.

We may create field maps across wide areas of space using high-definition images from aerial drones or sensor systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can detect regions that require prompt attention. Farmers may save money by allocating resources more efficiently and reap the benefits of higher crop yields.

Planning and Designing a Mission

The challenge of planning a voyage to Mars is difficult, but artificial intelligence can help. New space missions have usually relied on information gleaned from earlier research. However, this information is frequently restricted or unavailable.

This implies that the flow of technical knowledge is limited by who has access to it and who can share it with other mission design experts. But what if, with just a few clicks, anybody with authorization could access data from virtually all prior space missions?

A better system, similar to Wikipedia but with artificial intelligence that can answer complex questions with correct and relevant information, may be developed one day to help in the early design and planning of new space missions.

Digital image processing of satellite data

Satellites that monitor the Earth provide massive volumes of data. Ground stations receive this in bits over a long period of time, which must be stitched together before data can be analyzed. While some crowdsourcing initiatives have been done to undertake basic satellite imagery analysis on a modest scale, artificial intelligence can help us analyze complex satellite data.

End Note

AI and machine learning skills are having a huge influence in the space sector, allowing scientists to explore the outer reaches of space and reducing mission planning and operations costs. While task automation paves the way for AI, the ability for spacecraft to become fully cognitive machines capable of making critical decisions based on their current environment without relying on ground systems. This will help to perform essential functions will free up time for humans to devote to more valuable and complex research. originally published at Cogito

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Matthew-Mcmullen
Matthew-Mcmullen

Written by Matthew-Mcmullen

Cogito Tech shoulders AI enterprises by deploying a proficient workforce for AI, GenAI, LLMs,RLHF,DataSum and More..