The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled a list of AI use cases that could help the agency in its space missions and operations.

The updated inventory features active AI applications, including autonomous navigation for the Perseverance Rover on Mars and advanced data analysis to drive scientific discoveries.

Some of the use cases include:

• AEGIS (Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science): AI-powered system designed to autonomously collect scientific data during planetary exploration.

• MLNav (Machine Learning Navigation): AI-driven navigation tools to enhance movement across challenging terrains. 

• ASPEN Mission Planner: AI-assisted tool that helps streamline space mission planning and scheduling, optimizing mission efficiency. 

• Onboard Planner for Mars2020 Rover: AI system that helps the Perseverance Rover autonomously plan and schedule its tasks during its mission. 

“As AI technologies evolve, NASA’s portfolio of AI use cases will continue to grow. With cutting-edge tools currently in development, the agency is poised to further integrate AI into more aspects of space exploration, from deep space missions to sustainable solutions for planetary exploration,” NASA said in a blog post.

Last year, it was reported that NASA is working with private sector firms to acquire newer AI capabilities, however, they expressed concerns about potential biases in the outcomes of these advancements.

“We can make our work more efficient, but that’s only if we approach these new tools in the right way, with the same pillars that have defined us since the beginning: safety, transparency, and reliability. We work with partners across industry, across universities, across our government [and] across the world to find ways to improve them,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.

NASA has been leveraging AI to track wildfire smoke, conduct tree surveys, and pinpoint the whereabouts of exoplanets. Yet, the collaborative efforts with private sector allies have primarily emphasized the integration of increasingly robust tools.