The intersection of AI space exploration, cybersecurity, and national security is converging very rapidly and will keep expanding as the future develops. AI innovation is and will increase global competitiveness of Australia and other nations in space, cybersecurity and national security.
What are its implications and opportunities? In this article, I'll explore the current AI advancements in space and on earth, future AI possibilities, and possible dangers in space including cyber threats in space.
But first let's learn about Australia's space related assets as I think Australia may be just at the beginning of its space journey - in a way a “developing space nation” in comparison to the United States or European Union.
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Australian Space Assets
Australia's space assets can be broadly categorised into three categories:
Ground Segment: This refers to the infrastructure on Earth that supports space operations. This includes launch facilities like Arnhem Space Centre, mission control centres, and tracking stations such as the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.
Space Segment: This encompasses spacecraft orbiting Earth, including scientific research satellites, telecommunications satellites, and navigation satellites. Which we won't go too much into.
User Segment: This refers to the organisations and individuals that utilise space data and services for various applications, such as weather forecasting, resource exploration, and telecommunications. And many Australian and international users in the user segment are reliant on space assets daily. But we won't talk too much about this aspect.
All 3 space segments are important to our everyday life as well as scientific and technological advancements for Australia and the world. Let's learn about some of those assets.
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Today is the United Nations International Human Space Flight Day, April 12th, 2024. I am standing in front of the premier Australian ground segment assets, the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) antenna dish known as Deep Space Station 43 or DSS43 (see image above) at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) reminiscing about the past Apollo missions with astronauts on the Moon who were communicating with Earth through the Deep Space Network dishes including this one in Canberra, the one in Madrid and the one in Goldstone, California, USA.
I am actually on a special tour here with Glen Nagle, the resident Science Communicator at the Canberra DSN. Standing next to DSS43 (Australia’s largest dish) I am blown away by its size. Nestled in between mountain tops to avoid signal bleed through from nearby Canberra, it has stood the test of time despite a bushfire or two.
Glen says that NASA fully funds the operations at CDSCC and is managed on their behalf by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. CDSCC provides vital two-way communication for all deep space missions currently deployed including Voyager 1 (farthest human made technology). You can check out current Voyager missions status including where it is here: https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status/
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What is the purpose of this deep space network?
Glen says that it's crucial to picking up signals from all NASA missions and signal processing a very weak signal. CDSCC is situated in a very nice valley with flowing mountaintops that shield it from radio frequency interference (RFI) from nearby Canberra but still not too tall to block a wide view of the sky, so it's a nice mix ideal for this work. The DSN also sends commands to all NASA assets across the solar system.
SKA
Another premier ground segment asset in Australia is still under construction which is the scientific Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The SKA is an international effort to build the world's largest radio telescope. It will be spread across two continents, with stations in South Africa and Australia. Once completed, it will be the most powerful radio telescope ever built, allowing astronomers to study the universe in unprecedented detail.
The SKA project will consist of two large telescope arrays:
SKA-Low in Australia will utilise 131,072 dipole antennas.
SKA-Mid in South Africa will have 130 parabolic dish antennas.
SKA’s key scientific goals will be:
Understanding the Cosmic Dawn: The SKA will peer into the early universe, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, to study the formation of the first stars and galaxies.
Probing the Nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy: These mysterious substances are thought to make up most of the universe, but their nature remains unknown. The SKA will map the large-scale structure of the universe to shed light on dark matter and dark energy.
Exploring the Potential for Life Beyond Earth: By studying the formation of planets and molecules in space, the SKA could help us understand the conditions necessary for life to arise.
It almost boggles the mind as to what humanity can achieve in solar system communication as we expand our living to the whole solar system. We will definitely need large communication arrays that span the solar system and beyond in order to efficiently communicate at near instant speeds.
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Rocket launch sites
There are three current rocket launch sites in Australia:
Arnhem Space Centre (ASC): Located in the Northern Territory, Arnhem Space Centre is Australia's first operational commercial spaceport. It is situated close to the equator, which offers advantages for launching rockets into certain orbits. Visit their site: https://ela.space/arnhem-space-centre/
Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex: This site is under development in South Australia and is expected to be the nation's first launch complex capable of supporting orbital launches. Visit their site: https://www.southernlaunch.space/whalers-way-orbital-launch-complex
Southern Launch Koonibba Test Range: This launch facility is also located in South Australia and is designed for suborbital rocket launches and testing. Visit their site: https://www.southernlaunch.space/koonibba-test-range
Australia has potential to work with more local space entrepreneurs and international premier Space launch companies to open many viable human spaceflight and other large space launch facilities because of our vast resources and lots of space.
Maybe very soon I'll be able to jump onto a train or a car to a local Australian rocket launch facility, then get myself suited up, and fly off on the next launch to the Moon to dance in lower gravity frolicking in moon dust or maybe do some prospecting on a nearby asteroid?
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Aussie space based assets
There are a handful of space based satellites and projects, but not much:
Optus satellites: A fleet of communication satellites owned and operated by Optus, providing various telecommunications services.
NBN Co satellites: Satellites used to provide broadband services to rural and remote areas as part of Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN).
Australian Space Agency and commercial companies collaborate with international space agencies such as JAXA and ESA and NASA on space exploration, satellite projects and research. Here are some examples: CubeSats, ISS experiments. Aussie companies and organisations are working with the Australian Space Agency to develop satellites, space propulsion systems, and other space-related technologies.
Now that we have learned about all the amazing space related assets on Earth in Australia, let's discuss the possibility of AI and Robotics in space and the future possibilities of Australia's space exploration and assets.
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Artificial Intelligence in Space
As more and more assets are launched into space and more people who aren't trained pilots (or the everyday people) start to be able to afford to access space with such developments as the SpaceX Starship rocket and future competitors from the private sector it will mean a need to make space travel as reliable and as simple as driving a car or flying a plane or taking a train.
How is AI already being used in space?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already playing a vital role in various aspects of space exploration, from data analysis to spacecraft autonomy. Here are some of its key applications:
Data analysis: AI helps process the massive amounts of data collected by space satellites, telescopes, and rovers. It can identify patterns, anomalies, and potential discoveries much faster than humans can. NASA is employing AI on Earth to sift through the massive datasets collected by its space missions. These AI systems can rapidly analyse years of data, uncovering hidden patterns and relationships that might be missed by traditional methods. This allows scientists to gain new insights from existing data and make scientific discoveries at an accelerated pace.
Spacecraft autonomy: AI-powered systems enable spacecraft to perform tasks like navigation, obstacle avoidance, and even basic decision-making, reducing reliance on ground control. In a recent interview Elon claimed that AI is basically not used in SpaceX. This discrepancy might be because SpaceX uses AI in a limited way, or in ways that don't align with what Elon Musk considers to be true "AI.” Which has me puzzled because a lot of articles previously have stated that SpaceX uses AI. For example, according to these articles the SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft when transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), utilises advanced AI systems to assist with life support, communication, space docking and navigation. These AI systems play a vital role in ensuring astronaut safety and mission success throughout the entire spaceflight. Perhaps Elon wants everyone to think they don't use AI and continue developing space AI so they have an advantage in a competitive market? Who knows?
Robotic exploration: AI empowers rovers on Mars and other planets with advanced capabilities like vision-based navigation and object detection, allowing them to explore their surroundings more efficiently. For example NASA's AEGIS system is a prime example of AI in space exploration. Running on the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, AEGIS autonomously helps navigate, identify interesting rocks, and plan daily activities, all to maximise scientific discovery on the red planet even though there is delayed communication back to earth..
AI also monitors space debris trajectories in real-time to avoid collisions, helps satellites travel and position to orbit. And the uses keep growing in number. What uses for space AI will they think of next?
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How could AI be used in space?
AI in space might enable smarter automated humanoid space robots with AI (e.g. Figure 01 robot) to be stationed or sent to explore, repair, maintain and protect space based assets such as satellites and space stations in space and on other planets.
New age robotics, generative AI and better future forms of AI might be used in:
Space flights systems that react fast to dangers and reroute communications blackouts through alternate transmission sources
Emergency escape & triage systems during flight and in space and planet bases that act fast to preserve all kinds of life (humans, animals and plants)
Space station maintenance and operating systems that safely and autonomously kick in as needed to seamlessly operate space stations negating the need for humans to do it constantly - (provided there are plenty of backups, which NASA and Star Trek Starfleet love)
Space mining robots to autonomously operate and mine for materials on space objects and planets
Space manufacturing robots made with generative AI may make manufacturing very low cost and much more efficient than manufacturing on Earth. IT may also be much safer with less pollution, especially the dangerous kind of manufacturing.
Space energy harvesting might involve harvesting robots (With generative AI) that constantly align to the sun as needed and then relay that energy down to earth or energy storage mediums in space
Applications of AI and robotics in space are endless because everything in space happens much faster than the human brain response and comprehension when things are happening 360 degrees around you at much faster velocities and quantities. And thus AI will supplement human attention spans and help us explore space safer. I can see future forms of AI and robotics get developed and used long term in space. You could almost say AI and Robotics are essential in space.
But with all these intelligent space based assets the next thing to consider is its cybersecurity.
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Cybersecurity in Space
Cyber security in space is just as important as on Earth. And this cannot be underscored as more and more assets launch into space and more people start visiting space.
Why is cybersecurity needed in space?
Our growing reliance on space infrastructure for communication, navigation, and scientific research necessitates robust cybersecurity measures. As space exploration expands, so do the potential cyber risks. This calls for the development of intelligent and adaptable AI-powered cybersecurity systems to safeguard space assets on Earth and in orbit.
Cybersecurity Challenges in Space
The increasing accessibility of space creates new cybersecurity hurdles. Malicious actors could develop AI-generated malware specifically designed to bypass traditional security measures.
Additionally, deep fakes could be used to spread misinformation that disrupts operations or even infiltrates spacecraft systems. To combat these threats, robust cybersecurity protocols and AI detection systems will be needed in the future to safeguard space assets.
Let's take a look at some possible cyber risks in space that engineers and management need to consider when designing and positioning assets in space.
Examples of possible malicious activity in space:
Hackers could hijack satellites or disrupt communication with spacecraft using AI-powered malware that's invasive and persistent combined with physical space assets that could dock or attach themselves to space-based assets.
Cyberattacks could target space weather forecasting systems or financial transactions.
AI Deep Fakes could be used to manipulate astronauts.
Supply chain hacks on ground control or spacecraft parts.
Weaponized space debris via cyber attacks eg: insecure old satellites taking control of and used to become projectiles
Disrupted space research or security infrastructure on earth could affect space-based assets.
Ransomware attacks on space assets
Malfunctioning AI on hacked spacecraft could become dangerous.
Possible current and future cybersecurity in space
Here are some possible future cybersecurity defensive and offensive tools to protect space-based assets and human spaceflight operations:
Space Defensive Tools:
AI-powered threat detection systems: These systems can analyse vast amounts of data to identify and respond to cyber threats in real-time faster than humans.
Cyber-hardened space systems: These systems would be designed to be more resistant to cyberattacks, with features like encryption and secure coding practices which are most likely already used but could be even better.
Autonomous cyber defence systems: These systems could automatically take action to mitigate cyber threats, such as isolating compromised systems or rerouting communications and switching to backups.
International cooperation on space cybersecurity: Sharing information and best practices between nations can help to improve overall cyber defences including un space assets.
Specially designed cyber security satellites or space-based AI robot drones that roam around and monitor based assets and operations and keep them safe and have built-in cyber security, offensive and defensive capabilities with human control for safety.
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Space Offensive Tools (for ethical use by authorised government personnel):
Cyber attribution techniques: These techniques can be used to identify the source of a cyberattack, which can help to hold attackers accountable. AI could play a part in that process.
Counter-hack AI capabilities: These capabilities could be used to disrupt or disable cyberattacks in progress that I targeted towards space assets by using AI based hacker bots setup within space assets that would disrupt and take control of space-based or earth based malicious infrastructure and contact the authorities.
Spacecraft AI defence systems: These AI systems could be used to protect spacecraft from physical attacks caused by compromised space assets, such as collisions with debris or other spacecraft like powerful lasers or other projectile based defences.
Specially designed cyber security satellites or space-based AI robot drones that roam around and monitor based assets and operations and keep them safe and have built-in cyber security, offensive and defensive capabilities with human control for safety.
It's important to note that offensive tools should only be used ethically and in accordance with international and national law in space.
AI presents a double-edged sword for space cybersecurity. While it can be used to create sophisticated cyber attacks, it also holds immense potential to bolster security efforts.
AI's ability to handle vast amounts of data can streamline threat detection and improve data accuracy, leading to enhanced space domain awareness and constellation management. This translates to better monitoring of space assets, allowing for quicker identification and mitigation of potential threats.
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What does the future hold for AI in Space?
I think there'll be many advancements that will make AI more useful in space and cyber security will keep advancing in space assets to simplify maintenance.
What are the Benefits of AI in Space?
AI is revolutionising space exploration. From enhancing communication networks and optimising data analysis to enabling groundbreaking space exploration and maintenance tasks, AI offers a multitude of benefits such as:
Enhanced Space Communication: AI streamlines satellite communication, optimising network bandwidth and ensuring efficient data transmission.
Advanced Data Analysis: AI algorithms excel at analysing vast amounts of satellite imagery, providing valuable insights for weather forecasting, agriculture, and resource exploration.
Improved Space Situational Awareness: AI can track objects in space in real-time, improving our understanding of the space environment and preventing potential collisions.
Revolutionised Space Robotics: Generative AI will empower robots to perform complex tasks in space, including mining asteroids, conducting maintenance on spacecraft, and exploring hazardous environments.
Heightened Cybersecurity: AI can bolster cybersecurity efforts by detecting and mitigating cyber threats in real-time, safeguarding critical space assets.
I think these and other areas that AI helps with in space will keep improving the experience of the use of space in deploying space assets as well as human space flight and space exploration especially as competing countries vie for potential financial benefits and resource mining.
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What are Potential Risks of using AI in Space?
Dangers that might pose risks in the future in space could be space activism, enemy states actions, unforseen space anomalies, overcrowded space could be a risk, space hacking. A fictional example movie Ad Astra moon scenes shows conflicts due to mining in the moon that are unforeseen. The Expanse TV series highlights the dangers and opportunities in exploring the solar system in many ways as well.
Ultimately, I think reality dictates that it'll be somewhere between a very positive and very negative result. So constant improvement is necessary to prevent risks caused by AI and space cyber security threats is important.
Here are some possible risks of using AI in space related assets:
Type of risk | Risk description |
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Hacking & Cyber attacks on space AI & robots | AI-powered systems could be vulnerable to hacking attempts, potentially giving malicious actors control of spacecraft or critical space infrastructure or the ability to shutdown space services or exploration. It's a chicken or the egg game. If the hackers create a better AI powered hacker system then you need a more powerful than constantly innovative and faster and better AI system to defend space assets with.You need a self learning module in AI Space systems to continually monitor all entry points and keep updating its physical and cyber breach detections and render those assets inoperative or in lockdown mode to prevent them being accessed or go into backup lockdown mode. You could also have offensive digital weapons that send malicious or damaging code back to the malicious hacker as a counter attack. There may be physical hacking attempts as well that need counter measures. |
Loss of Control / Over-reliance on Automation | Over reliance on AI in space could lead to situations where critical systems become incomprehensible or uncontrollable by humans. This could be due to the AI's ever-evolving capabilities or its inability to handle unforeseen situations in space. That's why especially with human space flight you need humans around to take over if something happens.
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Unforeseen Actions / Emergent Behaviours by AI / Robots within its level of intelligence | Robots with generative AI or just generative AI software in space might learn and take actions we can't predict, especially in the complex and unpredictable environment of space. This could lead to unintended consequences or safety hazards within its current level of intelligence. .
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Unpredictable advancement of AI with evil intent | AI on spacecraft designed for self-learning and adaptation could evolve or mature in unpredictable ways and become more intelligent in an evil intent sort of way.
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Misinterpretation of AI outputs | AI communication might not always be clear or intuitive, especially for complex situations. A misunderstanding between humans and AI regarding a critical manoeuvre could have disastrous consequences therefore pose a security risk to humans or the mission. |
Limited Explainability of AI Decisions in novel situations | Even with the most advanced AI, it can be difficult to understand how they arrive at specific decisions so they could miss important information that could put the mission or its people in danger by staying within it’s limited programming.
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Weaponization of peaceful AI / Robots | In the wrong hands, AI-powered robots or AI software in space could be repurposed as weapons, posing a threat to spacecraft, space infrastructure, or even human life.
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Unforeseen Bias in Training Data | AI algorithms are trained on massive datasets. Biases or imperfections or errors present in that data, though subtle, could lead the AI to make faulty decisions during critical space missions.
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Supply Chain Attacks on earth space related production or suppliers | Malicious actors could target vulnerabilities in the software development tools or hardware components used to create both the Earth-based AI and the space assets it interacts with. This could create a backdoor for hackers to gain access to control or disrupt critical space missions. |
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks between Earth and Space assets | If communication between the Earth-based AI and space assets is not adequately encrypted, hackers could intercept and manipulate data transmissions. Imagine hackers tampering with instructions sent to a satellite, throwing its trajectory off course. |
Social Engineering Attacks on space related workers | Cybercriminals might target human operators or personnel who interact with the AI systems. Through phishing emails or other social engineering tactics, they could trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorised access to the AI systems. |
AI-powered Cyberattacks | Advanced AI could be used to automate cyberattacks against Earth-based AI systems managing space assets. This could involve launching denial-of-service attacks to overwhelm the AI or exploiting weaknesses in its algorithms to gain unauthorised control. |
Data Poisoning Attacks | Hackers could manipulate the training data used by the Earth-based AI, leading it to make faulty decisions that compromise space missions. Imagine an AI controlling a space telescope being fed data laced with misinformation, causing it to miss critical observations. |
Finding Future space AI threats | There needs to be continual simulations of specialised AI models testing the integrity of physical and digital software aspects of space, ground and user assets related to space. The world is too complex with everyone having access to powerful AI and clever approaches not to run continuous simulations on how to improve space related assets. An open source reward program for bugs in AI systems and AI based Robots needs to be established by all space service providers whether that's in research, exploration, science or commerce activities in space. |
Striking a balance of risks vs benefits is crucial. While AI offers immense potential for space exploration, it also introduces new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. To move forward safely, organisations must be vigilant, adaptable, and implement thoughtful regulations to safeguard space assets from cyber attacks as well as more novel physical security attaches which could impact space systems cybersecurity.
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What does the future hold for Australian space activities?
I think the future of space exploration for the world and Australia hinges in many ways on our ability to harness the power of AI responsibly. By proactively addressing cybersecurity concerns, fostering international collaboration, and embracing technological advancements, Australia and other countries can unlock a prosperous future amongst the stars.
In my opinion, this vision, however, is contingent on our ability to mature as a species. Science fiction movies like Ad Astra and TV shows like The Expanse depict the potential pitfalls of space exploration gone wrong.
Conversely, a future where we leverage AI for good in space promises a collaborative effort between AI, nations and corporations, leading to a golden age of discovery. In the coming years, we can expect AI-powered robots and programs to play an increasingly vital role in space exploration, assisting with tasks like resource extraction, spacecraft maintenance and others.
It was great to chat to Glen Nagle at NASA's Canberra Deep Space Network facility and tour the dish facility at Paddy's River, Tidbinbilla, 421 Discovery Dr, Australian Capital Territory 2620 (currently closed to the public but available for school groups and the media).
Towards the end of our chat I asked the following question: “Only, what's the point of it?” What I was asking Glen here was what is the point of all this searching in space.
Glen's answer to what's the point of space exploration was: "Yeah, if we don't explore, if we don't expand, we don't innovate and invent and improve. And we stagnate as a civilisation and, you know, there's plenty of examples in human history, where empires have risen and fallen because they stagnated, and we need to keep moving forward and I think space is a great way to do that." For example inventions that were designed for astronauts that we now use in everyday life are such things as memory foam used in mattresses and pillows, scratch-resistant lenses used in glasses, wireless headsets and infrared thermometers to name a few. Have these inventions made your life a little easier?
He also went on to say: "But I think actually the greatest thing we've learnt about going to space is just how important and how fragile planet Earth is... we're all in this little fragile blue orb in the vast blackness of space and there is nowhere else for us to go." Finally this thought hit the most important reason for exploring, Glen said: "In all of our exploring, the most important thing we've learnt about the universe and the greatest discovery was here, Earth.” The planet that sustains us is very unique.
Looking a century ahead or beyond, humanity might establish permanent outposts on the Moon and Mars, paving the way for a future where space travel is commonplace. But I think humanity is a little bit infantile and may destroy itself before that even happens given the difficulties the earth is experiencing because of increasing pollution.
So I think maybe my best potential of seeing humans travel outside the solar system may take another thousand years to first clean up the house on earth before we are even mature enough to take our place in the galaxy or beyond as an advanced species. We are already turning the solar system into one big trash heap let alone the Galaxy!
Well, I hope this is not too depressing, but there's some positive points ahead and when the time comes for humanity to explore the Galaxy as a mature species, I hope one day I can be there to see it and be part of it. How I get there so far into the future is up to your imagination.
This is what keeps me excited about space exploration: the great unknowns before us. But as we do that we need to do that with the help of such tools as AI and Robotics as well as good cybersecurity (at least until all of humanity has left the petty need to maliciously hack each other for some benefit). However long this journey of exploration takes, I invite you to join me on this exciting ride.
Happy space computing!
Regards
Michael Plis
Note: I plan to release the full interview with Glen Nagle at NASA Canberra DSN in the future as it was very informative and interesting to hear from him. I wish NAA and otehr space facilities invited me to interview them.
My photo album of visit to CDSCC
Here is an album of my trip to Canberra DSN, and hopefully one day I get invited to other Australian and US space assets and beyond and get invited to travel into space so I can report from there.
…….end of deep space transmission…..
References
Co-Editors along with Michael: Google Gemini, OpenAI ChatGPT
Spacenews article:
“AI at the crossroads of cybersecurity, space and national security in the digital age”
NASA Artificial Intelligence Town Hall live (held a day after I released this article, hopefully helped them in the town hall ): https://www.youtube.com/live/n3LH7Hd0L5s?si=8qdbF7fudFE4DV6G
NASA Deep Space Network dish array at Canberra - Interview with Public Relations representative Glen Neagle on 12/04/24 on the UN International Day of Human Spaceflight.
Image Credits in the article: Canberra DSN, NASA
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