Purdue University partners with NASA, Rice University on In-Space Physical AI Workshop

The Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence at Purdue University organized an In-Space Physical AI Workshop in partnership with Rice University and NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. The workshop, held recently in Houston, convened top scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and government leaders to explore the role of artificial intelligence for in-space operations and exploration — a domain that is driving scientific discovery, economic growth and technological advancements.

The Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) at Purdue focuses on application of AI with elements of the physical world through research spanning four pillars:  manufacturing, supply chain and autonomous transportation, forestry and agriculture, and health care. The institute is part of the Purdue Computes initiative, which is focused on advancing research in physical AI, semiconductors and quantum technologies.

The two-day event attracted over 200 guests engaging in a wide range of topics relating to applications of AI in the space industry.

Purdue and IPAI participants included a range of experts working at the intersection of AI and a broad range of application domains, including autonomously managed space habitats, robotic systems for construction and maintenance, and human health, said Shirley Dyke, director of the NASA-funded Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats Institute and the Donald A. and Patricia A. Coates Professor of Innovation in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue.

Dyke, who was one of several Purdue researchers and staff members who helped organize the event, highlighted the enabling role these technologies will play toward autonomous operation of lunar and cislunar infrastructure.

“As we move towards Mars, or even cislunar space, we will need systems that need autonomous thinking and learning capability to monitor what is happening — and deal with it appropriately — especially the unknown unknowns,” Dyke said. “The workshop is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas on how the scientific community can work together to exploit AI for realizing the next generation of human spaceflight.”

Humans handle most of the monitoring and problem-solving in space, with large teams managing missions on the ground. But that won’t be possible as spaceflight expands both in scope and distance, Dyke said. Future autonomous solutions based in AI, like space habitats, must be both Earth-independent and verifiable while also being resilient to enable humanity to thrive in these extreme conditions.

Dyke said the workshop concluded with discussions focused on building partnerships among the participants and she expects that work will continue.