Air Force readies software-upgradable orbiting satellites to support artificial intelligence (AI) in space
AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Air Force is working with technology startup Hypergiant Industries Inc. to build the first software-based U.S. satellite system that eventually could perform real-time data analysis for artificial intelligence applications in orbit. The Wall Street Journal reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
11 Aug. 2020 -- The first in a series of as many as 36 satellites, known as Chameleon Constellation, is planned to launch on a Northrop Grumman Corp. spacecraft in February 2021.
The project aims to modernize military satellites through software so they can be reprogrammed quickly -- for example, to take advantage of new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for threat detection.
Currently, it can take as long as a decade to build and launch military satellites into space. Once they are in orbit, it is difficult to improve functionality because they primarily rely on hardware. Remote software upgrades would help military satellites keep pace with technological advancements on Earth.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
