NASA and its International Space Station (ISS) partners are elevating their collaboration with the University of Southern California (USC) through a new agreement that will provide students and researchers with opportunities to work on robotic technology. The agreement, known as a Space Act Agreement, will see USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering and Information Sciences Institute join the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Space (ACTS), which already includes partners such as Google and Amazon Web Services.
The collaboration will focus on advancing the capabilities of intelligent autonomous systems, including the Astrobee and Robonaut, two types of robots currently in use on the ISS. Astrobee is a free-flying robot that helps with routine tasks and experiments, while Robonaut is a humanoid robot designed to perform tasks that are either too dangerous or mundane for astronauts.
The partnership with USC will enable NASA and its ISS partners to tap into the university’s expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). USC researchers will have the opportunity to develop algorithms and software for the Astrobee and Robonaut, potentially enhancing their autonomous capabilities and efficiency. The project also aims to improve the robots’ ability to interact with astronauts and other systems on the ISS.
The technology developed through this partnership could also have applications beyond the ISS. It could be used in future lunar missions, for instance, to help establish a sustainable presence on the moon through NASA’s Artemis program. On a broader scale, the research could contribute to the development of intelligent autonomous systems for a wide range of industries on Earth, from healthcare to autonomous vehicles.
This collaboration is not the first time USC has worked with NASA. The university has been involved in numerous space exploration initiatives over the years, including the Mars Rover missions and the development of radar systems for the Juno spacecraft. USC’s Information Sciences Institute also has a long history of contributing to the evolution of the internet, including the development of the Domain Name System (DNS).
The new Space Act Agreement illustrates NASA’s commitment to fostering partnerships with academia and industry to accelerate technological advancements. By working with USC, NASA and its ISS partners hope to push the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration and further their understanding of autonomous systems.
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