NASA To Launch Chatbots Onto Its Spaceships For Cosmic AI Aid

Chatbots are entering a new frontier—the final frontier, in fact. NASA is reportedly about to develop a ChatGPT-like assistant for its spaceships so that its astronauts can communicate with them in the cosmos.
 
The Guardian reports that the agency is looking to create a system that will enable astronauts to interact with spacecraft through a natural-language interface. Dr Larissa Suzuki, speaking at an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) meeting on next-gen space communication, emphasized the goal of establishing conversational interactions with space vehicles.
 
So, what will the chatbot’s future role be? NASA explained that the AI and machine learning tech would manage various operations, even when people are on board. These systems include autonomous handling of science payloads, data transmission, health management of the rocket, and more. The aim is to relieve some of the weight off its astronaut’s shoulders and make crewing a rocket a bit easier.
 
The system is bound for its Lunar Gateway craft, a space station that will orbit the Moon and support the Artemis mission. Here, astronauts can also conduct experiments and execute maneuvers without diving into complex manuals.
 
Dr Suzuki highlighted the significance of this approach by envisioning scenarios where the AI system could autonomously resolve data transmission glitches and other digital outages. The machine’s capabilities would eliminate the need to send an engineer into space every time a spacecraft experiences an offline or software-related issue.
 
Both The Guardian and Engadget point out that films have taught us that such systems often end in failure; just like with Hal 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, one can see how much of a boon it could be to astronauts in space.

In other NASA news, the crew has just released stunning new images that paint Mars in a different light.
 
 
 
[via The Guardian and Engadget, image via NASA]