When satellites learn to think AI will be omnipresent in space

Artificial intelligence will be omnipresent in space and significantly expand the capabilities of modern spacecraft. Sophisticated sensors and the analysis of huge amounts of data also increasingly require faster and more autonomous decision-making processes. AI in orbit can reduce dependence on limited downlink bandwidths by making decisions directly on the spot.

Modern spacecraft are generally equipped with more powerful systems. Examples of this are remote sensing satellites, which take photos or videos with ever higher resolution and faster frame rates or capture a larger number of multispectral and hyperspectral image channels. However, while the development of sensor applications has kept pace with the growing demand for data, this is generally not the case with bandwidths for the data downlink. The larger the data sets, the longer it inevitably takes to exchange data with the control stations on the ground.