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On Friday, Meta and Booz Allen Hamilton unveiled a new initiative dubbed “Space Llama.” This program incorporates Llama, an open-source artificial intelligence model developed by Meta, into operations at the National Laboratory of the International Space Station. The AI system is designed to assist astronauts engaged in research while in low Earth orbit.
Ahmad Al-Dahle, Vice President and head of generative AI at Meta, expressed optimism about the role of open-source AI in advancing space exploration. “We envision a future where models like Llama will be indispensable in enhancing experimentation capabilities for astronauts, enabling innovative solutions to complex scientific challenges,” he stated in the announcement.
This development follows Booz Allen Hamilton’s integration of AI technology into the ISS last August when they reportedly deployed the first significant large language model in space. Less than a year later, the company is now enhancing its technological framework with the introduction of “fine-tuned” Llama 3.2, which is supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Spaceborne Computer-2 and Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs).
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The partnership has branded this new AI system as “Space Llama,” promoting it as an illustration of the capabilities of large language models in environments that are “denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited bandwidth,” as noted in a recent release.
One of the primary objectives of Space Llama is to minimize costs and reduce the computational power required for operations while enabling quicker responses to maintenance concerns or “onboard anomalies,” all without the need for consistent internet connectivity to Earth.
Additionally, this data-driven approach aims to support astronauts by replacing traditional paper documents and decreasing dependency on instructions sent from mission control on the ground.
Recent events in the space sector have been tumultuous. Last month, NASA announced layoffs and the closure of three departments as part of mandatory reductions influenced by Elon Musk’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency, as reported by Business Insider. These cuts have had repercussions on various research initiatives.
Furthermore, according to The New York Times, the staffing reductions impacted a critical federal office that supports NASA’s efforts to carry out safe moon landings and land robotic explorers on Mars, highlighting the broader implications of budget cuts in space exploration.
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