During the Supercomputing conference or SC2024, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Nicola Fox, explained about the new computational tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These tools are made to upgrade space science.
During the event, Fox explained that it plans to use large language models (LLMs) in NASA’s science divisions. Let’s have a look at what this means for you.
NASA to bring AI-powered computational tool
The new AI tool by NASA is supported by models related to Earth science, astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics and biological and physical sciences. The new strategy was illustrated through a heliophysics foundation model. Notably, this model uses extensive data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory to forecast solar wind events. Also, this helps to track sunspot activity.
Fox also highlighted the achievements made by NASA’s Voyager missions, which were launched in the 1970s. The Voyager mission had served as milestones in computing for space exploration. This spacecraft was operating with early semiconductor memory and helped to provide unique insights. This includes the discoveries of Saturn’s additional moons and Jupiter’s faint ring.
In addition to this the Voyager missions had managed to showcase the possibilities for future computational breakthroughs in space science. Since then, NASA’s computational requirements have expanded, with over 140 petabytes of data now stored and shared under open science policies. This huge data set allows global scientists to access and benefit from NASA’s research. The use of AI can help to process this huge dataset quickly.
The way ahead
Furthermore, with the use of AI, real time data and earth observation can be improved. Fox said that NASA’s current investigations into extraterrestrial life could be boosted by the use of AI. Recent studies of exoplanets, such as LP 791-18d, underscore this new research. NASA’s observatories, including the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will also help in this research. It has facilitated the detection of thousands of exoplanets. Moreover, the use of AI and computational power can help in the search for conditions that might support life beyond Earth.
By bringing an AI tool, NASA aims to use the power of AI in computing vast data. It said that both AI and computing can play a powerful role in analyzing the massive datasets produced by NASA’s missions. This could help the space organization to explore questions that could not be explored or understood earlier.
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