It’s hoped the device will eventually be able to predict a potential astronaut’s fitness to function in space before they blast-off – making it a vital part of the selection process.
The $180-million iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between academic institutions and more than 20 industry partners that aims to accelerate the development of the space manufacturing sector.
Its latest initiative will be led by the Australian National University (ANU), Axiom Space and AI solutions provider Aqacia and will eventually see the latter company fly two payloads to space.
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It will also build on an existing iLAuNCH project that uses AI to help monitor astronauts’ health, with “digital twins” predicting a space passenger’s physiology.
“ANU will use in-flight data to mature our medical digital twins, utilising embedded machine learning algorithms and mathematical models of the human system,” said ANU’s project lead, Professor Klaus-Martin Schulte.
“These algorithms will enable real-time simulation, diagnosis, and prediction of astronaut physiology and fitness to function in microgravity. They will also provide effective feedback information for future intervention cycles.”
Phase 2 of the project will see in-space testing with Axiom Space, which will integrate the project for a future spaceflight.
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Axiom Space’s Dr Lucie Low said the project would address an important issue for the future of spaceflight.
“The aim of the next phase on-orbit will enable real-time health monitoring and health status analyses of crew with reduced transmission bandwidth requirements, which moves toward Axiom Space’s goals of providing fast and appropriate clinical support for large populations of humans living and working in space,” she said.
iLAuNCH believes the finished device could have major on-Earth applications for humans living in remote locations, including Australia’s 7 million remote population, resource industries (mining) and off-shore activities (defence, commercial maritime services, stationary drilling and exploration sites).
Space Connect reported earlier this month how a separate iLAuNCH project would develop an Earth observation camera that uses shortwave infrared technology and AI to peer through clouds.
The “multi-sensor camera” is being developed by Leonardo, Spiral Blue Nominal Systems, and ANU and will be used for disaster operations, land management, and defence.
“This partnership will bring first mover advantage to Australian industry and ANU, which is set to deliver a commercially viable product for future satellites,” said iLAuNCH Trailblazer executive director Darin Lovett.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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