Nasa’s Space Communications and Navigation Testbed before launch. Credit: Nasa.

Nasa is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including cognitive radio, to facilitate communication between spacecraft and their ground-based stations at Earth.

Nasa spacecraft usually depends on human-controlled radio systems to communicate with Earth.

However, the use of AI is expected to help the agency to meet its demand and increase the efficiency of its space-based communications network.

Nasa Glenn Research Center cognitive communication project principal investigator Janette Briones said: “Modern space communications systems use complex software to support science and exploration missions.

“By integrating artificial intelligence and cognitive radios into our networks, we will increase the efficiency, autonomy and reliability of space communications systems.”

“By applying artificial intelligence and machine learning, satellites control these systems seamlessly, making real-time decisions without awaiting instruction.”

According to the agency, software-based radios such as cognitive radio use AI to employ underutilised portions of electromagnetic spectrum or ‘white spaces’ without human intervention.

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The white spaces are currently remained unused, but portions of them have already been licensedfor use.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has permitted a cognitive radio to use the frequency when unused by its primary user.

Briones added: “By integrating artificial intelligence and cognitive radios into our networks, we will increase the efficiency, autonomy and reliability of space communications systems.”

In future, a Nasa cognitive radio can shut itself down temporarily to mitigate radiation damage during severe space weather events, as well as suggest alternate data paths to the ground, among others.

With the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Testbed installed aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Nasa currently provides engineers and researchers with tools to test cognitive radio in space.

SCaN features three software-defined radios,various antennas and apparatus that can be configured from the ground or other spacecraft.