AI in space operations: Opportunities and challenges
In the new golden age of space exploration, AI is pushing the boundaries of human capabilities even further than previously imagined possible—by revolutionising space operations, from planning and automation to launch and communication. As the sector goes through a period of exponential growth, AI will be a key to unlocking the full potential of space exploration and creating breakthroughs for anticipated commercial ventures such as space tourism.
India has acknowledged the importance of this niche. The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Respond Basket 2023 included eight research areas focused on AI and Machine Learning (ML). It has also launched initiatives like the 'AI for Space and Geospatial Innovation: ISRO Immersion Startup Challenge' in 2024, that is aimed at fostering the development of AI applications in space.
However, like in any other sector, AI in space is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Given the sector's strategic nature, these threats are posed not just to the operations but to national security, overall. India can learn from and partner with other spacefaring nations to address these challenges while driving innovation in its domestic ecosystem. This brief examines how key countries are deploying AI in space operations, the challenges they face, and their strengths and areas of development. It outlines a path for the future of AI in space.
This paper can be accessed here.
This paper is authored by Amoha Basrur, ORF, New Delhi.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
35 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘India is very beautiful': Nasa astronaut recalls stunning nighttime view of Delhi, Mumbai from space
Ranveer Allahbadia recently sat down with former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who shared a unique perspective on India, discussing how Delhi and Mumbai are viewed from space at night. During the podcast, Massimino spoke about how breathtaking India appears when viewed from space. Allahbadia later shared a snippet of the interview on Instagram, capturing a moment where he asked the astronaut, 'Do some parts of the Earth look more beautiful, or is it all just gorgeous to look at as one piece?' Massimino replied, 'India's very beautiful. It's all interesting.' He went on to describe how stunning Earth looks at night when seen from orbit. 'Nighttime, it gets really cool and magical. You can see the stars very clearly. But looking down on the Earth, you see city lights. So you see some of the big cities like Mumbai or New Delhi or New York City…' he said. In the shared clip, Massimino also reflected on his connection with India. He revealed that seeing the country from space made him want to visit it someday. 'NASA astronaut Mike Massimino shares how stunning India looks from space. He says he always wanted to visit after seeing it from above, and finally made that dream come true. The beauty he saw from space matched what he experienced on the ground,' Allahabadia captioned the video. Watch here: A post shared by Ranveer Allahbadia (@ranveerallahbadia) The video quickly gained traction, with several social media users appreciating Massimino's love of India. This year, Shubhanshu Shukla spent 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in June, becoming the first Indian to live and work in the ISS, and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma. Fondly known as Shux, Shukla was a part of Axiom Mission 4, a joint human spaceflight by ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
India's expanding space sector has enough space for startups: Ex-ISRO chief
1 2 Chandigarh: Former ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath on Monday delivered a lecture at Panjab University on the future of India's space sector, highlighting new opportunities for private enterprise, startups, and academia under the Indian Space Policy 2023. Speaking at the PU Law Auditorium as part of the PU Colloquium Series, Dr Somanath said India is transitioning from a government-dominated space model to a stakeholder-based ecosystem. He stressed the need for universities to play an active role in building a self-sustaining space research and industrial framework. Now the Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor and President-elect of the Aeronautical Society of India, Dr Somanath spoke on upcoming missions to Mars and Venus, development of reusable launch vehicles, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035. He said India aims to achieve a permanent human presence in space by 2047. He also spoke about satellite technologies being used in crop monitoring, insurance, irrigation planning, and disaster management. Tools such as Krishi-DSS and SASYA, along with platforms like Bhuvan, are helping farmers and state agencies improve planning and productivity. The talk was attended by students, researchers, and faculty members. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is AI the secret to mastering a new language faster than ever? See why experts are buzzing. Talkpal AI Undo PU Vice Chancellor Professor Renu Vig presided over the event, which also saw the presence of Dean University Instructions Prof Yojna Rawat, Registrar Prof Y P Verma, R&D Cell Director Prof Meenkashi Goyal, and Colloquium Coordinator Prof Desh Deepak Singh. Dr Somanath said India's space growth is no longer limited to launch pads or satellites but now includes business models, private innovation, and global collaboration. Conferred honorary degree by PEC Former ISRO chairman Dr S Somanath was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, on Monday. The felicitation ceremony was presided over by PEC Board of Governors Chairman Rajinder Gupta and Director Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia. Dr. Somanath also unveiled a commemorative plaque in honour of aerospace pioneer and PEC alumnus Satish Dhawan. Addressing faculty, students, and invited guests, he spoke of Dhawan's contributions to India's space programme and recalled their time working together during key PSLV missions. In his address, Dr. Somanath stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry to foster innovation and convert research into national assets. He also discussed India's ongoing efforts toward developing a human spaceflight programme. Among those present were Panjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig, former PU VC Prof. A.K. Grover, INSA Emeritus Professor Dr. K.P. Singh, and other senior faculty members. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Uma Batra.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit; indigenous missions exploring Moon, Mars: Former ISRO chief lists nation's scientific priorities
Highlighting the country's transformational journey in space under the 2023 Indian Space Policy, which opened the door to foreign direct investment and strengthened support for non-governmental entities, former ISRO chairman and renowned space scientist Dr S Somanath on Monday delivered a lecture as part of the the Panjab University's (PU's) Colloquium Series. Somanath, currently serving as Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor and President-elect of the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI), addressed the talk titled 'Space Sector in India: Opportunities for Business and Startups,' which focused on the growth of the country's space sector, the role of private enterprises, and the future of space entrepreneurship in the country. PU Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Renu Vig presided over the colloquium. In his lecture, the former ISRO chief spoke about the strategic and scientific priorities of India's future in space, including Mars and Venus missions, reusable launch vehicles, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035. 'Landing at the moon is not a pipe dream for India; we are working on it. By 2047, India aims to have a permanent human presence in space, a Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit, and indigenous missions exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We're not just following global trends — we're shaping them, with reusable launchers, electric propulsion, and quantum-secure space communications,' he added. Somanath called on universities to actively participate in building a self-sustaining space research and industrial ecosystem. Referring to various problems being faced by farmers, the scientist showcased how satellite-based technologies are now transforming farming. He spoke about ISRO's remote sensing applications for crop insurance, yield estimation, and smart irrigation planning. Tools like the Krishi Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), SASYA automated crop classification using RISAT-1A data, and agrometeorological products derived from INSAT-3DR are already supporting lakhs of farmers across India. These technologies have been integrated into schemes like PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) for efficient claim assessment and smart sampling. Somanath also highlighted the role of satellite data in tropical cyclone monitoring and prediction, forest fire alerts, and disaster management. Platforms such as Bhuvan, the Indian Geo-Platform of ISRO, are providing web-based geospatial services for agriculture, forestry, disaster response, and governance, benefitting states like Punjab and Haryana. These innovations, he emphasised, can help farmers improve productivity, reduce risk, access timely information, and make evidence-based decisions. The scientist noted that India's shift from a government-funded model to a stakeholder-based space ecosystem has triggered a wave of innovation, with private satellite manufacturers, small launch vehicle developers, and data service providers gaining momentum. This expanding ecosystem, he argued, is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits, job creation, and global market participation.
