US' new AI assistant will help astronauts tackle emergencies in space

Researchers at Texas A&M University, led by Dr. Daniel Selva, have developed Daphne-AT, a virtual assistant designed to help astronauts quickly diagnose and resolve spacecraft anomalies during long-duration space missions. Daphne-AT continuously monitors critical life support and environmental systems, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, using real-time spacecraft data to detect anomalies and provide clear, step-by-step guidance to astronauts. This system aims to reduce mental workload and improve problem-solving efficiency when immediate expert support is unavailable. Testing of Daphne-AT involved virtual reality simulations at NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility with participants of varying aerospace expertise. Results showed that the assistant helped participants solve anomalies faster and handle more issues without compromising situational awareness. However, in longer-duration tests with trained professionals at HERA, the time to resolve anomalies did not significantly change, likely due to participants’ experience and the limited number of anomalies presented. Beyond space missions, Daphne-AT’s approach could also benefit emergency responders by providing timely