A satellite just used AI to make its own decisions in space — and NASA’s stoked

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has successfully tested a new technology called Dynamic Targeting, which allows a satellite to use onboard AI to autonomously decide where and when to capture a scientific image. The test was conducted on a briefcase-sized satellite built and operated by UK-based startup Open Cosmos, which carried a machine learning processor developed by Dublin-based firm Ubotica. During the test, the satellite tilted forward to scan 500km ahead of its orbit and snapped a preview image. Ubotica's AI then quickly analyzed the scene to determine the most scientifically valuable target and capture a high-resolution image, all within 90 seconds and without human input. This marks the first time a satellite has used onboard AI to make such autonomous decisions in space, a development that NASA is excited about as it could lead to more efficient and responsive satellite operations in the future.