NASA Taps AI to Unlock Hidden Insights in Decades of Data

NASA is increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) to extract insights from decades of observations, simulations, and mission data. According to Anna Steers-Smith, NASA's senior advisor on AI, the agency has a vast amount of open data that can be difficult to find and connect to.

Employees use AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot to sift through massive amounts of academic literature and streamline daily tasks. Specialized systems like Earth Copilot and Hydrology Copilot have helped researchers navigate complex Earth science datasets. These tools are being considered for one of NASA's most critical environments: Mission Control.

The Johnson Space Center in Houston developed a prototype AI agent designed to help SPARTAN flight controllers, who are responsible for the International Space Station's power and thermal-control systems. The agent acts as a virtual member of Mission Control's support teams, helping flight controllers monitor spacecraft systems and make real-time decisions.