Podcast Summary: This Week in Space 159: AI in Space!

Podcast Information:

• Title: This Week in Space 159: AI in Space!
• Host/Author: TWiT
• Release Date: May 2, 2025
• Description: Hosted by TWiT, this episode delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and space exploration, featuring an insightful interview with Dr. David Bell from the USRA Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science.

1. Headline News

a. NASA Budget Cuts Under Trump Administration

The episode opens with Tarek Malik and Rod Pyle discussing the recently released Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which proposes a 24% slash in NASA’s funding. This significant reduction translates to a $6 billion cut, bringing NASA’s budget down from $24.8 billion in 2025 to $18.8 billion.

• Impact on Programs:

  • Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion: Likely to be terminated after the upcoming Artemis 3 mission. Malik notes, “[...] the SLS is what I'm talking about. SLS done after Artemis 3” (04:07).
  • Gateway Space Station: Potential discontinuation post-Artemis 3.
  • Mars Sample Return Mission: Faces possible cancellation due to budget constraints.

• Science Budget at Risk:

  • The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope might be cut, despite being fully operational and crucial for scientific discoveries.
  • The Planetary Society is actively lobbying Congress to mitigate these drastic cuts, emphasizing that up to 47% of the science budget could be slashed, leading to widespread terminations of essential missions (06:21).

• Notable Quote:

  • Tarek Malik: “It is a really deep cut. Again, very, very fresh.” (05:16)

b. Planet 9: Evidence Strengthens

The conversation shifts to the intriguing topic of Planet 9, an elusive celestial body hypothesized to exist beyond Neptune. Recent analyses of archival data from the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) and Japan’s Akari satellite suggest stronger evidence for Planet 9’s existence.

• Key Points:

  • Planet 9 is estimated to be about 700 astronomical units from the Sun, making it extremely distant and challenging to detect.
  • Historical methods of discovering planets through gravitational influences on Kuiper Belt objects bolster the plausibility of Planet 9's existence.

• Notable Quote:

  • Tarek Malik: “We've been trying to hunt for it. Now the reason I picked this one is just because it's fun to talk about Planet X or Planet nine or whatever you want to call it.” (13:21)

c. Soviet Venus Lander Re-entry

The podcast addresses the imminent re-entry of the Cosmos 42 Venus probe, launched in 1972. Astronomers and enthusiasts are tracking its descent, with an expected re-entry around May 10th.

• Details:

  • While re-entry over populated areas is unlikely due to vast ocean coverage, the event serves as a reminder of space debris and historical missions returning to Earth.

• Notable Quote:

  • Tarek Malik: “It's going to be a mess everywhere. So, no, [...] it's a reminder that there's a lot of stuff up there that didn't end up where it's supposed to be.” (17:09)

d. Psyche Mission Fuel Pressure Issues

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, destined to explore an iron asteroid, is experiencing fuel pressure problems. Efforts are underway to mitigate the issue, reflecting the challenges of interplanetary missions.

• Notable Quote:
  • Tarek Malik: “NASA's Psyche spacecraft [...] lost some fuel pressure. They're trying to work through it.” (16:13)

e. Rising Alien Conspiracy Beliefs Among Youth

A segment highlights a concerning trend where over half of Gen Z and Millennials believe in alien cover-ups, such as Area 51 housing unknown extraterrestrial phenomena.

• Insights:

  • While earlier polls (e.g., from IPSOS in 2019-2022) indicated high beliefs in alien conspiracies among younger populations globally, the trend appears more pronounced in the United States.

• Notable Quote:

  • David Bell: “If I've got this right, just over half of Gen Z and millennials believe in alien cover ups [...] it's just one of those things.” (18:19)

2. In-Depth Interview: Dr. David Bell on AI in Space

The core of the episode features an extensive interview with Dr. David Bell, the director of the USRA Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science. Dr. Bell brings a wealth of experience, including a decade at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and over 20 years with USRA.

a. Evolution of AI at NASA

• Historical Applications:

  • 1980s AI Projects:
    • AutoClass: An unsupervised machine learning algorithm used in the IRAS mission, leading to the discovery of a new class of infrared stars.
    • Europa: A planning and scheduling engine utilized for missions like the Mars Exploration Rovers and Deep Space One, enabling autonomous decision-making and anomaly recovery (25:45).

• Modern Developments:

  • ExoMiner: A deep machine learning tool that validated over 300 new exoplanets from the Kepler mission data.
  • Clarissa: An early natural language processing interface for astronauts, predating consumer voice assistants like Siri (32:19).

• Notable Quote:

  • Dr. David Bell: “The emergence of large language models definitely represents a pivotal moment in the history of AI.” (22:36)

b. Large Language Models (LLMs) vs. Agentic AI

• Large Language Models:

  • Capabilities: Responding to a wide range of queries without performing actions.
  • Applications: Enhancing natural language interfaces for astronauts, facilitating better human-computer interaction.

• Agentic AI:

  • Definition: AI agents that can perform tasks autonomously based on prompts, such as filtering emails or creating summaries.
  • Space Applications: Potential to assist astronauts with mission-critical tasks, like monitoring O2 scrubbers or managing spacecraft systems.

• Challenges:

  • Reliability: Ensuring AI systems can make absolute determinations rather than probabilistic guesses is crucial for mission-critical decisions.
  • Safety: Implementing robust guardrails to prevent unintended actions, reminiscent of Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics (39:14).

• Notable Quote:

  • Dr. David Bell: “Agent-based AI has been around for 20 years and used in space missions for that long as well.” (37:59)

c. Quantum Computing’s Role in AI and Space

• Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab:

  • Collaboration: A joint effort between USRA, Google, and NASA’s Ames Research Center.
  • Achievements:
    • Quantum Speed Up: Demonstrated quantum computers solving specific problems 100 times faster than classical supercomputers (64:25).
    • Quantum Supremacy: Successful execution of problems deemed unsolvable by classical means, as reported in Nature.

• Future Prospects:

  • Quantum Advantage: The next milestone where quantum computers outperform classical systems in real-world applications.
  • Optimization Problems: Critical for space missions, such as route planning for rovers or resource allocation on spacecraft.

• Notable Quote:

  • Dr. David Bell: “Quantum computing represents one of the key future technologies that will help increase the energy efficiency and performance of AI training and inference.” (64:38)

d. Workforce Development and Education

• Educational Initiatives:

  • Feynman Quantum Academy: Engages undergraduate and graduate students in cutting-edge quantum research projects.
  • Generative AI Lab for Science and Engineering: Focuses on developing new AI models tailored for scientific data analysis.

• Curriculum Development:

  • Collaborations with universities to create specialized courses using NASA’s open data and AI tools, ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to tackle space missions and AI challenges.

• Notable Quote:

  • Dr. David Bell: “Our mission is research, development, and education. We do a lot of student programs to improve engineering and computer science education.” (61:05)

e. Future of AI in Space Exploration

• Robotic Assistants:

  • Astrobee: Autonomous robots on the International Space Station capable of maneuvering and performing tasks, potentially enhanced by AI-driven decision-making.

• Natural Language Interfaces:

  • Enhanced communication tools for astronauts, enabling more intuitive interactions with AI systems for mission support.

• Guardrails and Safety Measures:

  • Developing stringent protocols to ensure AI systems operate within defined safety parameters, preventing scenarios akin to fictional AI malfunctions.

• Notable Quote:

  • Rod Pyle: “As AI gets more intelligent and independent, the question of guardrails must come up.” (50:54)

3. Reflections on AI in Science Fiction

In closing segments, the hosts and Dr. Bell reflect on AI portrayals in science fiction, discussing characters like TARS from Interstellar and Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet. These fictional representations influence public perception and expectations of real-world AI in space.

• Notable Quote:
  • Dr. David Bell: “Having an AI that actually has some personality that helps with isolationism would be beneficial for astronauts.” (70:25)

4. Conclusion and Future Prospects

The episode wraps up with discussions on upcoming projects and the continuous evolution of AI in space exploration. Dr. Bell emphasizes the importance of partnerships across academia, industry, and government to harness AI’s potential fully. The hosts encourage listeners to stay engaged with TWiT’s offerings and support their initiatives through subscriptions and community participation.

• Notable Quote:
  • Dr. David Bell: “It's an exciting time for AI, and we're looking forward to leveraging our work with partners to advance space exploration.” (71:52)

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration’s proposed budget significantly cuts NASA’s funding, threatening multiple space and science missions.
• Recent archival data strengthens the case for the existence of Planet 9, reigniting interest in outer solar system exploration.
• AI has been integral to NASA missions since the 1980s, evolving from basic planning tools to sophisticated large language and agentic models.
• Quantum computing holds promise for solving complex optimization problems in space missions, with milestones like quantum supremacy achieved.
• Workforce development through educational programs ensures a steady pipeline of talent equipped to handle advanced AI and quantum technologies.
• Ensuring AI safety and implementing robust guardrails are paramount as AI systems become more autonomous in space applications.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Tarek Malik (04:07): “It's the biggest NASA budget cut in, like, modern history.”
• Tarek Malik (05:16): “It is a really deep cut. Again, very, very fresh.”
• Tarek Malik (13:21): “We've been trying to hunt for it. Now the reason I picked this one is just because it's fun to talk about Planet X or Planet nine or whatever you want to call it.”
• Dr. David Bell (22:36): “The emergence of large language models definitely represents a pivotal moment in the history of AI.”
• Tarek Malik (16:13): “NASA's Psyche spacecraft [...] lost some fuel pressure. They're trying to work through it.”
• Dr. David Bell (64:25): “Quantum computing represents one of the key future technologies that will help increase the energy efficiency and performance of AI training and inference.”
• Dr. David Bell (61:05): “Our mission is research, development, and education. We do a lot of student programs to improve engineering and computer science education.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights shared during the episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the current state and future prospects of AI in space exploration.