Booz Allen Hamilton has successfully deployed a generative AI large language model (LLM) in space, marking a significant milestone in the application of AI technology beyond Earth. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible through collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and their Spaceborne Computer-2 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) National Lab.
Key Takeaways
Booz Allen Hamilton has deployed a generative AI LLM in space.
The deployment was executed using HPE’s Spaceborne Computer-2 on the ISS National Lab.
This marks the first instance of a generative AI model being used in space.
The AI aims to assist astronauts by providing generative AI capabilities without relying on Earth-bound internet.
A Modern-Day Kitty Hawk Moment
Taking inspiration from the Wright brothers' historic flights, Booz Allen, in coordination with HPE, successfully uploaded the LLM to the ISS National Lab. The team conducted the experiment four times within the command window, achieving repeatable responses and creating a modern-day Kitty Hawk moment.
Cutting-Edge Technology in Space
“Booz Allen is thrilled to be at the cutting edge of this exciting development and is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI and other mission-critical technologies in space,” said Chris Bogdan, executive vice president at Booz Allen and leader of the firm’s space business. This deployment aligns with Booz Allen’s mission to build human-led AI solutions that benefit the nation.
The Importance of On-Orbit AI
“When milliseconds matter, on-orbit AI becomes a must-have,” said Dan Wald, principal AI solutions architect for space applications at Booz Allen. This proof-of-concept demonstrates Booz Allen’s ability to deploy state-of-the-art generative AI techniques in resource-constrained environments. The successful deployment in space indicates that such technology can be applied anywhere.
Rapid Development and Future Applications
Developed in just eight weeks, this LLM application builds upon years of infrastructure investments from both HPE and the ISS. It plays a critical role in providing remote data ingestion and retrieval-augmented generation, enabling edge-deployed personnel to efficiently retrieve relevant information and solve complex issues using natural language processing.
Expanding the Horizons of AI
“This type of breakthrough result by the Booz Allen team is exactly in line with the mission and purpose of the HPE Spaceborne platform,” said Norm Follett, senior director, global marketing at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise. HPE’s Spaceborne Computer-2 provides the international scientific community with a powerful compute platform in space and constrained environments.
Booz Allen’s Legacy in Space Programs
Booz Allen has been a partner in space programs for over 60 years, serving defense, intelligence, and civil agencies across the federal government. The firm applies deep mission understanding, innovative data solutions, and systems engineering and integration across three primary mission areas: Space Domain Awareness, Advanced Ground Systems, and Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Earth Observation. This deployment adheres to Booz Allen’s AI mission: humans build it, humans power it, and humans thrive from it.
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