US military branch, USSF, halted AI adoption in 2023; now aims to streamline operations through automation.
The U.S. Space Force is steadily integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations after a cautious approach to assess its risks and benefits. During Booz Allen's Space + AI Summit, Seth Whitworth, the acting deputy to the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, spoke about the service's AI progress.
In September 2023, the Space Force had ordered a pause on AI adoption, expressing concern over the unproven nature of the generative AI tools in use, without proper testing and verification of their safety and reliability. However, Whitworth noted that significant strides have been made since then.
By June 2024, the Air Force Research Laboratory introduced its own generative AI chatbot, NIPRGPT, designed for Airmen and Guardians to experiment with. Whitworth mentioned hosting a "generative AI challenge" to identify more potential uses.
Guardians are increasingly drawn to AI chatbots and assistants for managing everyday, non-operational tasks such as writing performance reviews and reports. Such back-office functions have long been eyed for automation, freeing operators to concentrate on more complex, higher-level tasks.
The vast amounts of data generated by space sensors pose a challenge for automation. With thousands of satellites and tens of thousands of bits of debris whirling around the Earth at 17,000 miles per hour, the need for data collection, collation, and analysis continues to escalate exponentially, experts say.
The reliance on human operators for satellite management might soon be overcome. Nate Hamet, CEO of Quindar, a satellite operations company, envisions a single operator assisted by AI managing multiple satellites. Whitworth envisions a future where one Guardian controlling one satellite is insufficient due to the proliferation of satellites and the need for real-time anomaly prediction and prediction on board the spacecraft.
The Space Force has already dipped its toes in automated satellite operations through its Space Rapid Capabilities Office. It is acquiring software for its Rapid and Resilient Command and Control system and experimenting with it on test satellites in orbit.
Whitworth emphasized that discussions and analysis on automated satellite operations are ongoing to determine which functions can be automated and the level of trust that can be placed in the technology. Building trust requires a gradual, careful process to avoid overwhelming human operators with both AI dependencies and manual processes, potentially negating any labor savings.
Despite the hurdles, the challenges posed by growing complexity and data volumes make AI an attractive solution for managing information from space. Booz Allen executive Pat Biltgen believes that AI could streamline the integration of new data sources, improve the accuracy and timeliness of domain awareness, and even help solve the problem of one Guardian managing one satellite.
- The Space Force is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, with Seth Whitworth, the acting deputy to the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, discussing the service's AI progress.
- By June 2024, the Air Force Research Laboratory had introduced its own generative AI chatbot, NIPRGPT, for Airmen and Guardians to experiment with. Whitworth mentioned hosting a "generative AI challenge" to identify more potential uses.
- Guardians are increasingly using AI chatbots and assistants for managing everyday, non-operational tasks, such as writing performance reviews and reports, freeing operators to focus on more complex tasks.
- The Space Force is exploring automated satellite operations, acquiring software for its Rapid and Resilient Command and Control system and experimenting with it on test satellites in orbit through its Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
- AI is considered an attractive solution for managing information from space due to the growing complexity and data volumes, potentially streamlining the integration of new data sources, improving domain awareness, and helping solve the problem of one Guardian managing one satellite.
