Artificial Intelligence Deployment on Chinese Space Station, Enabling Astronauts for Spacewalk Practice
In a significant leap for artificial intelligence (AI) in space, Wukong AI, a sophisticated large language model-based AI assistant, has been deployed on China's Tiangong space station to support taikonauts during missions, including spacewalks.
This advanced AI system, specifically developed for the unique demands of manned spaceflight, combines an on-station module that offers real-time assistance to the crew with a ground module for in-depth analysis and mission adaptation. Wukong AI is not just a chatbot; it provides real-time mission support, anomaly detection, and emotional monitoring.
For spacewalk preparations, Wukong AI plays a crucial role. It helps the crew with navigation, tactical planning, and detailed work scheduling. For instance, before their third spacewalk, the Taikonauts asked Wukong AI for the work schedule a day in advance, and the system promptly provided relevant guidance and links. During a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk mission involving installing debris protection and routine inspections, Wukong AI supported the crew by offering comprehensive content and tactical decision-making assistance.
Wukong AI stands out from previous space assistant robots due to its unique capabilities. It is built on a homegrown open-source AI model, fine-tuned with aerospace flight data, to meet the specific demands of manned spaceflight. Named after Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King symbolizing agility and intelligence, the AI integrates voice interaction and tactical planning support, potentially paving the way for more autonomous systems in future deep space missions.
China launched a cloud that uses homegrown Loongson CPUs to its space station last year, further enhancing the capabilities of Wukong AI. China also plans to extend the life of its space station, Tiangong, by adding more modules.
The crew used Wukong AI to request a work schedule before their spacewalk, and it solved critical and complex challenges during the spacewalk preparations. This smart assistant arrived on China's Tiangong space station in mid-July.
Interestingly, China's Taikonauts have used the same spacesuit for twenty spacewalks, making it the first Chinese space suit to enter extended use. The new spacesuits, expected to make life easier for taikonauts during spacewalks and construction tasks, are designed to have a longer lifespan, be safer, and more reliable. They were sent to Tiangong on the same mission that carried Wukong AI.
It's worth noting that HPE and Booz Allen deployed an LLM AI model to the International Space Station last year, marking another milestone in the integration of AI in space missions. As space exploration continues to evolve, AI systems like Wukong AI are set to play increasingly crucial roles, enhancing mission efficiency and safety while acting as a bridge between the crew and ground control.
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