Four Predictions for the Future of Space

For those of us who can recite the opening lines of Star Trek word for word, we know that space has often been referred to as "The Final Frontier." But space is no longer science fiction. It's humanity's next bold step. Over the last 10 years, extraordinary advances in space have brought it closer and made it more accessible to humans than ever before. And the next several decades will be just as transformative as we literally reach for the stars.

So what's next? I regularly get asked what I think space will look like in the next 10, 20 or even 50 years, so I thought I'd share four of my predictions for the future of space with you in a series of posts over the next several weeks. I'd love to hear your thoughts, too, so feel free to comment on each one and let me know what you think the future holds.

Prediction #1: Artificial intelligence is the next giant leap for space

Lockheed Martin and NEC are exploring artificial intelligence (AI) applications in space data processing and our own production operations. And we're doing extensive AI research in deep learning and machine learning as it relates to ground system applications in support of commercial and national security missions. AI will be everywhere and will be a big part of the work we all will do in space in the decades to come. Contrary to one negative view of AI, we believe it will enhance human capability rather than replace it. At Lockheed Martin, we like to say that a future with AI isn't human-less, but human-more.

AI turns analysts into data scientists: Satellites give us oceans of data, and new ones are launched all the time. So what do we do with all of that data? It's not a simple question, especially when you factor in national security missions and recognize there aren't enough analysts on the planet to comb through all the data being produced every day. That's why we need to build smarter systems that recognize complex trends, threats and issues in partnership with analysts around the world. Systems that find adjacent intelligence from other sources automatically. Systems that give us what we call "synthetic persistence" -- data delivered to analysts in comprehensive, decision-ready packages. This vision of the future liberates analysts from tedious and repetitive tasks. It helps everyone make better decisions with faster, more actionable information. That day is coming, and when it does, our national security, civil, and commercial space capabilities will be incredibly powerful in service to us all.

AI turns engineers into tech-powered geniuses: Our engineers already use Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to design every satellite Lockheed Martin builds. Today, technicians on the factory floor have iPads with AR that walk them through complex assemblies. Once AI takes hold, we see design, engineering and assembly rising to new heights. AI will create parts we could have never imagined, and when paired with 3D printing, will bring powerful new designs and approaches to accelerate creativity, reduce costs and production time. We see speed. We see defects down to zero. And we see an optimized supply chain with manufacturing and test operations seamlessly integrated. We think engineers will get used to wearing AR / VR / AI enabled tech full-time because it will help them do their jobs. Training will look radically different. Costs will come down and delivery speeds will accelerate to levels we can’t yet imagine. We see a future where humanity can design, maintain and operate anywhere, even on Mars and beyond.

AI turns astronauts into space superheroes: Imagine you're in orbit around Mars, some 140 million(ish) miles away from Earth. Something goes wrong. If you pick up the phone, it will take 20 minutes for the signal to reach Houston. So what do you do? You reach for your digital assistant. That's a new technology approach we're taking with machine learning, AR and VR. It recreates everything about tomorrow's spaceships, habitats and satellites in a smart, easy-to-use interface designed to help astronauts solve critical problems. It will walk crew through troubleshooting and maintenance, and it will expand their expertise in important science missions in deep space. Digital assistants will even help engineers design better solutions on the ground. Machine learning techniques will optimize the system so it can learn, constantly evolve and improve the overall human-to-machine experience. You'll hear more about it at Space Symposium next month, so stay tuned.

Investments in powerful new AI capabilities are changing everything. Just think about how much we're able to do to today, and then imagine the amazing things we'll be able to achieve tomorrow. There's no doubt AI is going to fundamentally revolutionize the future of space. In fact, it's already started.

Stay tuned for our next prediction coming soon.