China is planning a mission to the edge of the solar system, with the aim of reaching 100 astronomical units (AU) by 2049 and 1,000 AU by the end of the century. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will play a crucial role in supporting this mission, addressing unique challenges such as unknown environments, complex mission dynamics, and long communication delays.
According to researchers, AI can enhance autonomy and reduce dependence on Earth by assisting data processing, autonomous perception, decision-making, and efficient computing. The AI-driven system will help ensure that spacecraft transmit only essential information, remove errors and inconsistencies before transmission, and combine inputs from multiple sensors for increased accuracy.
AI may also enable autonomous perception, allowing spacecraft to sense and model unknown environments effectively. This could lead to the detection and reaction to rare but scientifically valuable events, such as solar storms or asteroid impacts.
The system will employ advanced AI algorithms, including deep convolutional neural networks, to improve multi-source detection data fusion processing for image processing. Additionally, AI-driven probe health monitoring systems can assess hardware status continuously, predicting potential failures to ensure mission longevity and reliability.
Autonomous decision-making capabilities powered by AI could further strengthen mission resilience, with AI-driven navigation and control systems optimizing trajectories and making course adjustments with minimal Earth-based intervention. The system may also adapt to changing conditions, prioritize tasks autonomously, and ensure efficient use of limited resources.
Efficient computing is essential for addressing the challenges of limited processing power onboard spacecraft. An AI-assisted approach will emphasize developing lightweight AI algorithms that require minimal computational resources, ensuring their effective deployment in deep space.
China’s solar system boundary exploration mission underscores the growing significance of AI in space exploration, highlighting how such cutting-edge technologies could enhance mission capabilities in deep space.
Source: https://spacenews.com/ai-to-power-chinas-mission-to-the-edges-of-the-solar-system