AI at the crossroads of cybersecurity, space and national security in the digital age

Technological prowess, especially regarding humanity’s increased presence in space, is increasingly becoming the linchpin of global competitiveness and national security. There, new opportunities to integrate AI are accompanied by a new generation of risks.

Artificial intelligence in particular plays a crucial role in democratizing access to space exploration and research, opening it to many beyond just governmental space agencies, as evidenced by the large number of commercially financed and operated space launches over the last five years. As launch companies adopt AI-enabled autonomous flight safety systems, Space Launch Delta 45 is saving on mission control chairs and looping out about a dozen facilities across the base per launch. SpaceX uses an AI autopilot system to enable its Falcon 9 craft to carry out autonomous operations, such as docking with the International Space Station.