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NASA Parker explores the Sun without humans: do we need astronauts?

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With the development of artificial intelligence, space exploration is undergoing significant changes. Recently, NASA's Parker solar probe, having overcome the closest distance to the Sun of all human-made objects, demonstrated the successful completion of its mission without human intervention. This underscores the increasingly important role of robotic vehicles in space research, writes UNN with reference to BBC.

Details

On Christmas Eve, an autonomous spacecraft flew closer to the Sun than any human-made object before. As it pierced the atmosphere, NASA's Parker Solar Probe studied the Sun, in particular how it affects space weather on Earth. It was a landmark moment for humanity, but without direct human involvement, as the spacecraft performed its pre-programmed tasks as it flew past the Sun, without any connection to Earth.

Over the past six decades, robotic probes have been sent through the solar system, reaching places inaccessible to humans. During its 10-day flight, the Parker Solar Probe experienced temperatures of 1000C. But the success of these autonomous spacecraft, coupled with the development of new advanced artificial intelligence, raises the question of what role humans can play in the future of space exploration.

Some scientists doubt whether astronauts will ever be needed. 

Robots are developing rapidly, and the rationale for sending humans is becoming less and less clear. I don't think any taxpayer's money should be used to send people into space

- says Lord Martin Rees, the UK's Royal Astronomer.

Andrew Coates, a physicist at University College London, agrees.

For serious space exploration, I prefer robotics. [They] can go much further and do more things.

- he says.

In addition, the scientist added that it is much cheaper to send a robot into space than a human. And as AI develops, it can become smarter.

Humans are more versatile and perform tasks faster than robots, but it is really difficult and expensive for us to maintain life in space

- supports his colleague Dr. Weinersmith.

However, technology can play a role in complementing human space travel by freeing astronauts from certain tasks so that they can focus on more important research.

[AI can be used to] automate tedious tasks

- explains Dr. Kyrie Wagstaff, a computer scientist and planetary scientist from the United States who previously worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

“On the surface of the planet, people get tired and lose attention, but machines do not,” he added.

To recap

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI has received $6 billion in investments to expand the Colossus supercomputer. It is planned to increase the number of GPUs to more than a million units.

В Держспецзв’язку попереджають, що ШІ використовують в шахрайських схемах30.12.24, 16:31

Alina Volianska

Technologies

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