Drones are being raced at Delft University of Technology’s ‘Cyber Zoo’ to test the performance of neural-network-based AI control systems planned for next-generation space missions.
The drones have to complete a course as fast as possible, showing how quickly and efficiently they can react, just like a spacecraft would need to in space.
Normally, spacecraft manoeuvres are planned on the ground and then uploaded to the spacecraft to be carried out. But space is full of unpredictable events! Whenever the spacecraft deviates from its planned path for whatever reason, it has to use a lot of fuel and resources to get back on track.
Instead, with this alternative AI control system that’s being tested here, the spacecraft would continuously recalculate and adjusts its path in real-time from wherever it is.
This approach would be much more efficient because the spacecraft could handle unexpected changes better and use fewer resources to stay on course.
📹 ESA – European Space Agency
📸 ESA/TU Delft
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