NASA is using the Perseverance Mars rover to test artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help the rover autonomously find and analyze rock samples. PIXL, a spectrometer, now uses AI to map the chemical composition of minerals on rocks’ surfaces and determine whether the rocks could have supported microbial life. The software used on the rover, termed “adaptive sampling,” allows it to position itself near a rock and analyze the target in real time without needing instructions from Earth. AI technology is also being used on another Mars rover, Curiosity, to autonomously analyze rock composition. The use of AI technology on these rovers delivers faster and more efficient research while scientists focus on other tasks. Additionally, AI assists the positioning of PIXL in close approximation to the rock targets, making minute adjustments to compensate for temperature changes on Mars. Once PIXL is in position, AI scans a small area of the rock to analyze its mineral composition. AI is being tested now for the future, in which autonomous operations will be necessary as missions travel far beyond Mars where communication with Earth will be slow and more restricted.
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