As we venture further into the cosmos, autonomous systems are becoming increasingly crucial for space exploration. These systems promise to extend our reach beyond human limitations, but they also present unique safety challenges. How do we ensure the safety of missions that operate millions of miles from Earth, often in unpredictable environments?
One promising approach gaining traction in aviation and aerospace is RunTime Assurance (RTA). This technology works by safely bounding AI behaviors through intelligent safety filtering techniques and involves monitoring complex systems in real-time, ready to intervene if safety parameters are breached.
The significance of RTA in space exploration:
1. It enables the use of high-performance AI in operations requiring high integrity, where unintended behaviors are potentially damaging and costly.
2. It allows AI controllers to be integrated into existing systems without substantial, disruptive changes.
3. It provides a layer of trust when AI replaces existing controllers.
4. It helps anticipate and mitigate potential AI failures.
SAIF Systems, a company pioneering RTA solutions for space, was recently selected to join the UK Space Agency backed Mandala Space Ventures SoCal Space accelerator. Such recognition underscores the potential impact of RTA technology on the future of space exploration. SAIF Systems previously secured support from Cambridge Future Tech, a Cambridge based Venture Builder.
Autonomous systems using AI on Earth or in space face challenges due to their black-box nature and complex decision-making behaviors. SAIF Systems offers a solution using RTA by improving the integrity and reliability of AI-controlled systems, potentially saving costly design-time expenses and streamlining regulatory requirements. By providing a robust framework for safely implementing AI-based autonomous systems, RTA could unlock the full potential of unmanned space missions. It offers a path to navigate the complexities of deep space exploration while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability. In the vast expanse of space, where every decision is critical and margins for error are slim, RTA could be the assurance we need to boldly go where no one has gone before – safely and autonomously.