Space has long been a critical domain of military operations. But its importance is about to be amplified as artificial intelligence (AI) enables a spectrum of operations never before possible. AI, and the form of warfare it enables, Hyperwar, is more generally reshaping how nations approach military strategy and operations. The impact can be felt everywhere: from enhancing situational awareness and sensor augmentation to predictive maintenance and driving autonomous decision-making.
Let’s take a closer look at the race for dominance in the application of AI to military space applications.
First, let’s ask the obvious question. Why is space important? For one, it is the ultimate “high ground.” But the concept of space as a strategic domain also aligns with Sun Tzu’s ancient principles of warfare. In “The Art of War,” Sun Tzu says, “As a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.” This ancient principle finds modern application at orbital altitudes, where space assets provide both the information advantage and the response flexibility for forces acting in all domains to adapt rapidly. Satellites offer critical advantages in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), allowing military formations to know first, detect first, respond first, and remain ever-ready. Indeed, the very nature of space assets embodies Sun Tzu’s concept of adaptability. They enable a constant state of preparedness and the ability to swiftly adjust to changing situations. With the integration of AI to fuse sensors in novel ways, extract intelligence autonomously and build predictive models of what they observe, space assets become an even greater force multiplier.
Consider the pursuit of enhanced situational awareness. In the United States, Sentient Vision Systems is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Their ViDAR AI system, capable of detecting targets invisible to human operators or conventional radar, is a good example of how AI can bolster human capabilities in space operations.
Research at Monash University in Australia has focused on integrating deep learning models to process satellite images, significantly enhancing the speed and accuracy of detecting changes in images of objects obtained from space. These autonomous ”pattern of life” detection algorithms are becoming more and more sophisticated, providing greater insight and deeper introspection. Not only do these capabilities automate previously human analysis, thus scaling operations, they also pick up changes which were hard to detect previously, thus delivering qualitative enhancement.
China, too, is pushing forward in this area via efforts taken by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to employ AI for analyzing satellite imagery and space debris tracking. The technology that tracks space debris can, of course, also be used to track any other type of object in orbit.
AI-driven decision-making is perhaps where the most significant changes are occurring. The U.S. Space Force is now beginning to utilize AI to accelerate decision cycles and improve strategic planning. By analyzing space-sourced datasets, AI systems can predict potential threats and optimize response strategies, delivering the adaptability Sun Tzu praised. It’s no surprise that this effort too, is being mirrored in China. Researchers at Tsinghua University have developed machine learning algorithms to process large volumes of satellite data, supporting rapid decision-making and potentially enhancing military operational efficiency.
The application of AI in predictive maintenance and maneuvering of space assets is another valuable area of investigation. The U.S. Space Operations Command (SpOC) plans to employ AI and machine learning to forecast maintenance needs, reducing downtime and enhancing efficiency. Researchers at MIT have developed models that predict satellite pattern of life. Deviations in these predictive models can indicate issues or unwelcome interventions encountered by the satellites. In China, similar advancements are being made at the Harbin Institute of Technology, focusing on AI-based predictive analytics to anticipate maintenance needs and ensures continuous operational availability of satellites.
Autonomous spacecraft and satellites are not a nice to have like an autonomous car might be. They are a must have. Distances quickly become vast once we leave the upper atmosphere. And this means significant latency for any control signals. In order to act fast, spacecraft have to act on their own. As an example of this autonomy, the U.S. Space Force is exploring AI technologies that allow satellites to adjust own orbits and avoid potential collisions. In China, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences are using reinforcement learning techniques to improve satellite autonomy.
Cybersecurity in space operations is another area where AI is making significant inroads. At Cyber Command in the United States, AI systems are utilized to identify and counter cyber threats in real-time. China too is developing similar AI-driven cybersecurity systems, with research from the National University of Defense Technology emphasizing AI’s ability to detect anomalies and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive space networks.
AI also has a role in facilitating better integration with allied forces. The U.S. Space Force collaborates with international partners to share AI-driven insights and intelligence. China, like the US, has recognized this potential advantage. Research being conducted at the PLA Academy of Military Science is exploring AI frameworks that enable seamless data sharing and operational coordination among Chinese and allied forces. Recent Chinese space missions such as Chang’e-6, launched on May 3, 2024, have involved the participation of multiple partner nations.
China has already established a deep space communications network and AI-driven optimization of this space-based communications backbone could be crucial for military networks. Advanced AI algorithms can manage and optimize satellite communications, handle routing and re-routing. In fact, research underway at Shanghai Jiao Tong University focuses on AI-driven communication protocols to improve the resilience and efficiency of satellite networks.
Across all these areas of application, the concept of data-driven warfare looms large. Both the United States and China are leveraging AI to manage and analyze vast amounts of data, providing timely and precise intelligence crucial for successful space missions as well as multi-domain operations enabled by space assets. There are already concrete examples of research that are aimed at cementing these advantages. Researchers at Peking University are developing AI systems that synthesise intelligence from diverse data sources, enhancing visual intelligence and reasoning as well as working on autonomy; all areas that are eminently applicable to data-centric warfare.
The integration of AI into military space operations represents a shift in how nations approach space strategy. As we’ve seen, this is a global phenomenon, with countries like the United States and China at the forefront, but many others joining the race. The implications of long-term autonomous systems in space, imbued with a multi-spectral view of Earth, and self-contained decision making are far-reaching. They necessarily connect with issues of national security, international cooperation, and the very nature of warfare itself. As we said earlier, space is the highest “high ground.” The decisions we make today about how we partner with other nations, and how we invest in AI in military space operations, will shape the geopolitical landscape for decades to come.
We must balance the pursuit of technological advantages with considerations of global stability. Rapid weaponization of space and any refusal on the part of major powers to keep global interests at the forefront as they push the art of the possible, can and will lead to instability. What’s certain is that the space race of the 21st century is not just about getting to claim a first for the sake of publicity and perception. This is not about putting a man on the moon mainly to say we put a man on the moon. This time, it’s about tangible strategic benefits. And it is undeniable that many of the most important benefits are in the military domain.
(This article has been auto-generated through a syndicated news feed. Except for the title, no other edits have been made. Article was originally published in Forbes by Amir Husain on 19 August 2024)
 enables a spectrum of operations never before possible. AI, and the form of warfare it enables, Hyperwar, is more generally reshaping how nations approach military strategy and operations. The impact can be felt everywhere: from enhancing situational awareness and sensor augmentation to predictive maintenance and driving autonomous decision-making.){kind=link}