Artificial Intelligence
Safely using advanced AI tools to support missions and research projects across the agency.
At NASA, use of artificial intelligence has a role in our missions, exploration of the Moon and Mars, weather, mission planning, and more.
Artificial intelligence helps us support missions and research projects across the agency, analyze data to reveal trends and patterns, and develop systems capable of supporting spacecraft and aircraft autonomously.
NASA’s researchers and engineers have safely used artificial intelligence for decades and are currently leveraging emerging AI technology to best serve our missions – from sifting through satellite imagery, developing technology for autonomous vehicles, and searching for planets outside our solar system using our deep space telescopes, and more.
The agency is also looking at external partnerships with AI leaders in the private sector and the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics community to advance cutting-edge development for the growing space economy and commercial space.
Autonomous Driving on Mars
NASA explores Mars as part of our ongoing efforts to send humans to explore farther and farther into the solar system.
AI allows spacecraft to autonomously make decisions and keep working even when they’re out of contact with Earth. 88% of the driving done by Perseverance rover has been autonomous. The rover acquires images of the terrain with its cameras, analyzes these images with an onboard computer to identify hazards, then navigates around these obstacles, driving on terrain that no human has ever seen.
Keeping Americans Safe
By analyzing satellite data using artificial intelligence tools, NASA can provide support to disaster relief efforts, protecting lives and property.
Applying artificial intelligence tools to existing NASA satellite data and imagery can open doors to new discoveries and reveal important trends. Using AI with NASA satellite images, a study detected the number of blue tarps on rooftops in the aftermath of hurricanes as a way of characterizing the severity of damage in local communities.
Intelligent Aircraft Re-Rerouting
As part of our efforts to improve the National Airspace, NASA is using AI to streamline commercial flight routes, increasing safety and efficiency.
Digital Information Platform (DIP) is a software system developed to autonomously develop safe, fuel efficient routes for commercial flights. The software supports flight controllers while keeping pilots and passengers safe.
