With recent announcements calling for the United States Space Force and 2019’s Ad Astra exploring the vast expanse of outer space, one wonders what the future of Space holds for Technology.

We can turn our sight to AI to discover what might be available to us over the next decade. From research at Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic over Consumer Space flights, to SpaceX focusing on Commercial launches with Satellites and research missions, the days of NASA Building all Space capabilities is long over.

1. NASA Leads the Charge in AI Research

Artificial intelligence could aid in the search for life on #alien planets and detection of nearby asteroids, according to #NASA officials.

NASA hopes to use #artificialintelligence, or #AI, technologies such as #machinelearning to interpret #data that will be collected by future telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope or the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission, according to a statement from the space agency.

NASA has partnered with companies such as #Intel, #IBM, and #Google to develop advanced- machine-learning techniques. Every summer, NASA also brings technology and #space innovators together for an eight-week program called Frontier Development Lab (FDL).

In 2017, I had the opportunity to teach Data Science to incoming NASA researchers in Maryland, and I believe the organization is primed for disruption and advanced technologies.

2. AI use cases extend beyond research

The application of neural networks in image analysis and detection of exoplanets demonstrates the importance of ML techniques in this field. The model works in similar fashion to the brain where neurons connect after which information transmission follows. Unlike conventional methods, this approach allows the researchers to map molecules in the atmosphere named WASP-12b in an effective manner. Prediction remains critical in such an instance and the good news is that this neural network understands the entire data set while detecting data gaps. Shawn Domagal-Goldman, is among researchers who oversaw the procedure where light emission provided the benchmark for measurement and offers insights into this area.

Telescopes play an important role in determining the nature of exoplanets and this procedure could not have come at a better time as the technology will facilitate accurate results needed for analysis. FDL techniques such as 3D models of asteroids enables researchers to study the appearance and size of objects in alien planets leading to accurate scientific outcomes. For example, scientists can use the spin rate to justify the presence of objects in alien planets within a short time span. The adoption of these technological tools means that organizations such as #NASA can boost their performance because of slow data processing. Furthermore, the existence of dangerous asteroids is an opportunity for adoption of AI in spacecraft technology as this will detect and repeal them in the shortest time possible while protecting life on earth.

3. IOT Sensors will Define the next Space Race

#AI suits the spacecraft technology where operators must communicate constantly with the support team on the ground. Consequently, the time needed to coordinate will be reduced while improving the movement alongside making decisions based on spontaneous information relayed. Most often, operators and engineers must work hard to ensure that all systems sync well with the spacecraft and for the most part, this has been problematic. Adoption of AI in this area will solve this problem by handling these tasks while humans work on the core areas of the system. Note that errors are bound to occur since the AI models contain defects hence the need for human-machine collaboration through consultation and crosschecking AI-based results to ascertain their authenticity.

The space science field is expanding by the day and using ML algorithms means that research scientists at NASA can predict and detect alien objectives faster than ever. The problem comes when sifting through these datasets and hence the need for the adoption of AI in spacecraft technology.

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