Space and AI: a dual revolution

With space exploration enhanced by artificial intelligence, we stand on the threshold of an epochal shift, a "squared revolution" that is changing how decisions are made in space and our approach to the future: Space AI.

While only two protagonists, the United States and the Soviet Union, dominated space exploration until a few decades ago, today at least 60 countries have expressed interest in humanity's return to the Moon.

Autonomy has always been a vital characteristic of space exploration. Even in the past, we sent autonomous vehicles to explore solar system objects and collect samples for men and women to analyze back on Earth. Artificial intelligence multiplies the autonomy of our spacecraft. In the exploration of Mars, AI allowed the Perseverance rover to evaluate the surface and choose the most suitable landing site. Following this, Ingenuity, the first space helicopter in history, guided its movements from above.

The further exploration pushes into deep space, the more it requires advanced technologies that allow for decision-making without depending on communications from Earth.

Space mining is now seen as a certain development of exploration. The asteroid belt is the area attracting the most attention. A single asteroid, 16 Psyche, rich in cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, is valued at up to 70,000 times the Earth's GDP. Another asteroid in the same belt, Bennu, was explored by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission—partly thanks to AI systems—revealing organic compounds that may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.

Today, the Starlink constellation is at the center of attention for various reasons. Its main objective, once the 30,000 second-generation satellites are positioned, is to provide broadband internet connection to every corner of the Earth. While this might not seem like an overly ambitious goal, one must consider that even today, 2.5 billion people completely lack connectivity. Furthermore, it is estimated that the AI systems equipped on each satellite have avoided over 50,000 collisions in the last six months alone, which would have intolerably worsened the problem of space debris.

Earth observation is also becoming increasingly strategic in natural disaster management thanks to the introduction of AI. Today, we can already compare images of a bridge before and after a hurricane, for example, to assess if it is usable for rescue operations. However, if we store detailed information on the housing and demographic characteristics of the territory, we can derive other essential parameters for civil protection activities. Moreover, if we can process information in space, we will need to transfer less data to Earth, providing quality that is immediately usable by those operating on the ground.

On the International Space Station, AI-enhanced onboard systems are already being tested. However, modifying ISS systems is a delicate process requiring long authorization procedures. In contrast, the construction of buildings, laboratories, and housing on the Moon will be AI-driven from the start, making extensive use of 3D printers and local regolith, which is extremely useful for radiation shielding.

Finally, AI promises to build two types of "digital twins" fundamental to the future of humanity: one of the Earth and one of humans. The digital twin of the Earth will help us understand the mechanisms driving climate change and predict its evolution. Digital twins of the people participating in a mission to Mars will be necessary to prevent (or know in advance how to handle) medical emergencies that might occur in a hostile environment like space.

Ultimately, the integration of artificial intelligence will contribute decisively to bringing the value of the global space economy from the current 600 billion dollars to the 1.8 trillion predicted for 2035.

This article is also published on SDA Bocconi Insight, in Italian. illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.