Artificial intelligence and machine learning have had a significant impact on a wide range of industries and enterprises, paving the way for operations automation and optimization as well as the development of new business opportunities. These technical discoveries are, however, being applied in research and development outside of our atmosphere and into space, thanks to rapid advancements.

Now, let’s take a fast check out how NASA uses AI and Machine Learning for various space projects and natural science.

How Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are being used in  modern space exploration :

NASA is making steady progress in AI applications for space research, such as automated image analysis for the galaxy, planet, and star classification, developing autonomous space probes that will avoid space junk without human intervention and forming communication networks with AI-based radio technology that are simpler and less disrupted. However, one of NASA's most important AI applications is the production of autonomous landers (robots) that roam the surface of other planets. These autonomous robots must make judgements and avoid obstacles on the rough terrain while determining the best way without explicit directions from the room. Autonomous robots have been used extensively in a number of the most notable advancements in Mars exploration.

Also read: how Ai influenced the modern world 

Natural science with advanced machine learning:

In January 2020, the Radiant Earth Foundation and NASA's natural science Data Systems (ESDS) co-hosted a workshop for experts to look at the progress of machine learning (ML) approaches on NASA's Earth Observation (EO) data. The event, which took place in Washington, D.C., brought 51 people from government agencies, non-profit organisations, institutions, and corporations. The session report (PDF) highlights the challenges, potential solutions, and best practises for incorporating EO data in machine learning processes for natural science research and applications.

The Advancing ML Tools for Natural Science Workshop received 51 participants from government agencies, non-profit organisations, universities, and thus the private sector. This image was given by the Radiant Earth Foundation. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence that learns from data, recognises patterns, and makes decisions with little or no human input. Earth science domains are particularly compatible with the use of ML because of the availability of publicly available EO data. 

The building blocks for the popular application of machine learning in natural science are open data, open-source technology, community building, specialised algorithm development studies, and benchmark-labelled samples. NASA's ESDS programme has invested in machine learning-based technology and industry that considers data-driven science and operational efficiency in order to achieve this goal. Additionally, there are plans to create highly curated natural science benchmark instructional datasets that will be used to accelerate advanced computer algorithms and benchmarking.

However, there are several challenges in applying machine learning to natural science, such as a scarcity of coaching datasets and moving ML applications from development to production. Participants in the workshop discussed these important concerns and gave recommendations for the best course of action.

How machine learning becomes a new technological tool for advancements : 

NASA using Machine Learning for Space Projects

1 ) Rovers on Mars: 

Did you anticipate Tesla, Google, Uber, and other tech giants would be the first to make significant investments in self-driving cars? Actually, NASA had been working on autonomous driving systems for Mars Rovers for over a year. The Spirit and Opportunity rovers, which arrived on Mars in 2004, used AutoNav, a machine learning-based navigational and mobility system for self-driving Mars rovers. Curiosity, a rover launched in 2011, uses AutoNav and is still exploring Mars to this day with the objective of finding water and other ingredients that could make Mars viable for human travel in the future! 

2 )Medicine in Space :

What if astronauts seek medical help once they leave Earth's orbit and venture further into space? Certainly, they won't be ready to return to Earth for a check-up with a doctor! As a result, NASA is working on the Exploration Medical Capability, which will use Machine Learning to provide healthcare options that will meet the astronauts' expected future medical needs. These healthcare options will be developed by licenced medical professionals, who will learn and improve over time as a result of the astronauts' experiences.

3 ) In search of planets:

You are well aware of how vast the cosmos is. According to NASA, the galaxy has approximately 100 billion stars, with approximately 40 billion having the capacity to support life. This isn't science fiction; NASA expects we will encounter aliens at some point in the future! However, before NASA can search for extraterrestrial life, it must first discover an increasing number of new planets in other solar systems. NASA will investigate the atmospheric spectra of these exoplanets once they have been located to see if they have the capacity to support life.

4 ) A Robotic Astronaut 

Were you under the assumption that astronauts couldn't be anything other than humans? You'd be correct in most cases, but NASA has now developed a robotic astronaut. Fantasy is starting to become a reality! The Robonaut was created to work alongside astronauts in space, assisting them with tasks that would otherwise be dangerous for humans to complete. This is significant because it will improve NASA's space research and discovery capabilities, helping us to learn more about the universe. 

5 ) Navigation on the Moon :

What would you do if you were cut off from the rest of the world? That's right, not much! You'll just rely on GPS to guide you to your desired spot. But what if you get separated from your Moon companions?! Because GPS doesn't work on the moon, you'll have to hope that someone finds you! Or it didn't till today, at the very least!!! The NASA Frontier Development Laboratory is now working on a technology that will enable navigation on the moon's surface! This initiative aims to provide GPS even on the moon's surface, without the need for a slew of expensive satellites!

Conclusion : 

AI has shown to be a game-changer in space science, such as cataloguing unlabeled galaxies, stars, black holes, and exploring cosmic events, as well as communications, autonomous StarCraft navigation, tracking, and control systems. Attempts to construct AI-powered, empathic robotic assistants to support astronomers in long-distance space flight by identifying and predicting the crew's demands, as well as reading astronauts' emotions, are among the most prominent current uses of AI. 

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