Space and artificial intelligence: A revolution on steroids

With space exploration enhanced by artificial intelligence, we stand on the brink of a historic transformation, a double revolution that is changing how we make decisions in space and shaping our approach to the future: Space AI.

Until a few decades ago, the protagonists of space exploration were just two, the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, at least 60 countries have expressed interest in returning humanity to the Moon.

Autonomy has always been a crucial feature of space exploration. In the past, autonomous vehicles were sent to explore celestial bodies in the solar system and collect samples that were later analyzed by scientists on Earth. Artificial intelligence multiplies the autonomy of our spacecraft. To explore Mars, for example, AI allowed the Perseverance rover to evaluate the terrain and choose the most suitable landing site. Afterward, Ingenuity, the first space helicopter in history, guided the rover’s movements from above. The deeper exploration goes into space, the greater the need for advanced technologies that allow decision-making without relying on Earth-based communications.

Asteroid mining is now seen as an inevitable development of space exploration, with the asteroid belt as the primary focus of attention. A single asteroid, 16 Psyche - rich in cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements - is valued at up to 70,000 times Earth's GDP. Another asteroid in the same belt, Bennu, was explored by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission; thanks to AI systems, it revealed organic compounds that may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.

Today, the Starlink constellation is in the spotlight for various reasons. Its main objective, once all 30,000 second-generation satellites are in position, is to provide broadband internet access to every corner of the planet. While this may not seem like an ambitious goal, it’s worth noting that 2.5 billion people still lack any form of connectivity. According to estimates, in the past six months alone, the AI systems on board these satellites have prevented more than 50,000 collisions, which would have drastically worsened the problem of space debris.

Earth observation is also becoming increasingly strategic for managing natural disasters thanks to AI. Today, for instance, we can compare images of a bridge before and after a hurricane to assess whether it can still support rescue operations. Moreover, by storing detailed information on the area's residential and demographic characteristics, we can infer other essential parameters for civil protection efforts. If we can process data in space, we will need to transfer less information to Earth, and the data that does reach operators on the ground will be more immediately usable.

On the International Space Station, AI-enhanced systems are already being tested. However, modifying these systems is a delicate process requiring lengthy approval procedures. In contrast, the construction of buildings, laboratories, and living quarters on the Moon will be AI-driven from the outset, relying heavily on 3D printing and using local regolith, which is particularly useful for shielding against radiation.

Finally, AI promises to create two types of digital twins which will be fundamental to humanity's future: one of Earth and one of the human body. The digital twin of Earth will help us understand the mechanisms driving climate change and make predictions about its evolution. For crew members on a mission to Mars, digital human twins will be essential to anticipate (or respond to) medical emergencies in the hostile environment of space.

Ultimately, the integration of artificial intelligence will play a decisive role in tripling the value of the global space economy from its current $600 billion to a projected $1.8 trillion by 2035.