Scientists have created the Daphne-AT computer system, which can serve as a virtual assistant for astronauts. It is expected that it will be able to provide them with the correct answer to a complex question if communication with Earth is lost.
Daphne-AT, a virtual assistant for astronauts
When astronauts embark on a long journey to Mars in the near future, communication with mission control will be impossible for several days or even weeks. Daphne-AT, a virtual assistant (VA) designed to help astronauts safely and efficiently solve problems that arise on their spacecraft, will come to the rescue.
Although Daphne-AT is not yet ready to assist our astronauts on their journey to Mars, researchers at Texas A&M University, led by Dr. Daniel Selva, have published an article in The Journal of Aerospace Information Systems describing Daphne’s ability to help resolve anomalies on spacecraft.
How does Daphne-AT function?
“Daphne-AT uses a mix of logic and data-driven decision-making to help astronauts make informed decisions when a problem arises on a spacecraft,” said Selva, an associate professor of aerospace engineering. “The VA uses spacecraft data in real time to detect anomalies, hypothesize what is causing the issue, and give astronauts information on how to solve the problem.”
The virtual assistant processes real-time data streams from the spacecraft’s environmental control and life support systems, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and trace contaminant concentrations, and monitors whether these data values are within normal limits. If values fall out of the normal range — for example, if oxygen concentration drops — Daphne-AT alerts the astronauts and provides them with information to solve the problem.
Daphne-AT uses various data sources to diagnose problems as they arise and provides astronauts with operational procedures for quick and calm problem resolution.
Testing the virtual assistant
To test the effectiveness of Daphne-AT, researchers first used virtual reality simulation to recreate the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. All participants in the study were graduate students at Texas A&M University with varying levels of knowledge in aerospace engineering and flight experience.
The researchers assessed how long it took participants to resolve five anomalies with the assistance of Daphne-AT and five anomalies without the assistance of Daphne-AT. The researchers also tested the participants’ mental stress and situational awareness during the simulations. The results showed that participants solved more anomalies in less time using the VA, and that the overall mental workload was reduced. Situational awareness did not change significantly when using the VA.
Additional tests were conducted at the HERA center. Participants included NASA engineers, pilots, and other specialists. Eight crews of four participants each stayed at HERA for 45 days, conducting various scientific research. The results of this experiment differed from the laboratory results, showing that the use of Daphne-AT did not significantly affect the time required for participants to resolve anomalies.
A future in which Daphne-AT will assist astronauts and others may not be so far away.
According to phys.org
