AI-Powered Transformation in Space Domain Awareness: A Revolution
Published Date: 02/07/2024
A senior intelligence officer has been granted $2.5 million to develop an AI software prototype to improve space domain awareness using predictive intelligence analysis.
The 310th Space Wing's senior intelligence officer, Lt. Col. Nicholas Demakakos, has been awarded $2.5 million to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) software prototype through the Air Force's Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Modernization, Automation and Development (IMAD) program. The goal of the project is to improve space domain awareness using predictive intelligence analysis through AI.
The IMAD program, launched in 2020, focuses on machine learning (ML) technology as part of the Next Generation of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Dominance Flight Plan. Demakakos' project, Space Targeting Analyses and Reporting Celestial Information System (STARCIS), was one of 18 selected to begin prototype development.
STARCIS aims to provide ISR analysts with a common intelligence picture, improving intel collaboration and closing operational support gaps within analysis, collection, targeting, military exercises, and wargame scenarios. Demakakos believes that Large Language Models (LLMs) can generate assessments, analysis, and predictive analysis, allowing analysts to leverage AI and LLMs for more accurate and timely decision-making.
Currently, it takes analysts three hours to generate a tactical report, but Demakakos' proof-of-concept presentation showed that STARCIS can condense this process down to 15 minutes. The AI-powered system can help space operators understand threats and anomalies, enabling them to make more informed decisions.
Historically, victory in conflicts has been measured by who had higher confidence in intel, minimal response time to threats/attacks, and greater resources. In today's contested space domain, adversarial forces often jam signals and impede imagery collection by U.S. assets. Demakakos' project aims to change this by providing more accurate and timely intelligence to support U.S. space operations.
Prototype development is set to begin on October 1, 2024, and will be rolled out to an initial group of users amongst nine squadrons under the 310th SW, Space Operations Command Deltas 5 and 7, and Space Training and Readiness Command Deltas 10 and 11 by September 30, 2025.
FAQs:
Q: What is the goal of the STARCIS project?
A: The goal of STARCIS is to improve space domain awareness using predictive intelligence analysis through artificial intelligence.
Q: What is the IMAD program?
A: The IMAD program is the Air Force's Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Modernization, Automation and Development program, launched in 2020.
Q: What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?
A: LLMs are programs trained to take in cumbersome sets of data and refine them into a system that can be easily managed by the Intelligence enterprise.
Q: How can STARCIS improve decision-making?
A: STARCIS can help space operators understand threats and anomalies, enabling them to make more informed decisions.
Q: When is the prototype development set to begin?
A: Prototype development is set to begin on October 1, 2024, and will be rolled out to an initial group of users by September 30, 2025.