In 90 seconds, AI satellite thinks, tilts, and shoots without human help

NASA has developed a groundbreaking AI-driven technology called Dynamic Targeting, enabling satellites to autonomously analyze their surroundings and decide where to collect scientific data without human intervention. Demonstrated aboard the CubeSat CogniSAT-6, launched in March 2024, the system allows the satellite to tilt forward along its orbit, capture preview images, and process them in under 90 seconds to identify cloud-free areas. This capability helps avoid wasting time and resources imaging through clouds, a common obstacle for Earth-observing satellites, by selectively capturing only clear views. Dynamic Targeting mimics human interpretation by recognizing meaningful features such as clouds, fires, or storms in real time, then adjusting the satellite’s instruments accordingly. Future tests aim to reverse the approach by targeting clouds and rapidly evolving weather phenomena like deep convective ice storms, as well as thermal anomalies such as wildfires and volcanic eruptions. These applications rely on specialized onboard algorithms trained to detect specific patterns, enhancing the satellite’s responsiveness and adaptability. NASA en