The future of space: Discoveries from Space Tech Expo 2023
From generative AI and robotics to optical communications, find out how innovations in space tech are propelling our exploration of the final frontier.
Earlier this month, several NExT team members attended Space Tech Expo USA, and we’re excited to report back on our findings. Continue reading below for key insights ranging from innovations in robotics for space to advancements in satellites. And start counting down to the launch of our full SpaceTech report in June!
A cosmic convergence
For decades, space was mostly reserved for “space people” and “space companies” – the astronauts who pioneered off-planet exploration and the government agencies and contractors who helped them get there. But now, as we witnessed at the recent Space Tech Expo in Long Beach, CA, a new era of space exploration is upon us. An era where space is more accessible than ever to countries, companies, and communities who might have traditionally seen themselves as spectators to space rather than participants and pioneers.
As we enter this golden age of space, an abundance of riches will be awarded to those who can crack our world’s (galaxy’s?) toughest problems with breakthrough solutions. My (albeit rather safe) hunch is that technology will be the bedrock for these advancements.
Those who are able to find “cosmic convergences”— to use their tech expertise and apply it to the space sector — will likely be the visionaries of the next decade and beyond.
We’re already seeing how the convergence of “tech x space” is tackling some of the industry’s critical challenges:
Generative AI. As far as buzzwords go, generative AI is the queen bee. But the hype is for good reason: NASA used Generative AI to design spacecraft hardware that resulted in less material being used and a faster production time.
Cloud storage & compute. The amount of Earth observation data we collect from satellites is increasing—and currently we’re storing and processing a vast majority of that data here on Earth. But why wouldn’t we store and query the data in space before then bringing it down to Earth? Companies and start-ups are looking to do just that. Data centers in space could capitalize on lower energy costs (due to direct solar power), reduce latency, and provide greater resiliency from Earthly disasters. The “cloud” might soon include the orbits above the atmosphere.
Robotics. As Lucas outlines in his section below, robotics is at the heart of space exploration. Companies who are developing the next generation of physical robotics here on Earth might have an opportunity to contribute to the growing space economy and ISAM (in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing) developments in particular.
Much of the Space Tech Expo was focused on how these convergences and others can pave the way for the next decade of space exploration. Although there were divergent perspectives about the details of our journey to the stars, one theme remained constant throughout: The future is coming faster than ever before.
Here’s to the future,
Raquel Buscaino, NExT SpaceTech Lead, Deloitte Consulting LLP
(Space)Man’s best friend
The last time humans set foot on the surface of the Moon was in 1972. Since then, only uncrewed, robotic probes have flown by, orbited, or landed on the Moon. However, NASA’s Artemis III mission, scheduled for launch in 2025, plans to put astronauts back on the Moon and write a new chapter. This return to the Moon has an audacious long-term goal: To build a self-sustaining human habitat on the lunar surface.
In the years that follow Artemis III, astronauts on the Moon will build lasting structures using regolith (moon dust), extract precious resources for survival like water (in the form of ice), and grow their own food. The effort required to set up a self-sustaining human habitat is immense. To meet the challenge, NASA is enlisting the help of robots. Not just one, but a whole army of R2-D2s, BB-8s, and IG-11s.
Star Wars jokes aside, if humans are to survive and thrive off-planet, they’ll need a team of on-site robotic helpers for a variety of jobs:
For search and exploration…
NASA invented Swarmies which mimic the behavior of a colony of ants. Yes, actually. This swarm of robots is programmed to simulate ant chemical trails and search for ice sources as a team. For hard-to-reach places, NASA is working on quad-copter robotic drones which could fly into and out of deep craters and caves on the lunar surface.
For excavation…
Once ice is discovered (likely below-surface), a separate team of digging robots must be sent. Lunar digging is a bit more complex than earth-digging, especially since we can't just send a two-ton machine to the lunar surface. Instead, NASA is designing a lightweight and compact robot, RASSOR, which can remove dust and rock from the surface to reach ice deposits below.
For construction…
Robots will sinter (i.e., form a solid mass by pressure or heat) lunar regolith into tiles, bricks, or even a 3D-printed structure on the moon. Melted regolith may be extruded layer by layer through a robotic 3D-printer to build shelters. Or perhaps it will be pressed into tiles and bricks with interlocked construction allowing for quick assembly by astronauts or other bots.
The future lunar base will be built by teams of skilled and highly intelligent astronauts who push humanity forward. Yet, the real heroes of this story may well be their inorganic friends and the decades of research and development that put them there!
- Lucas Erb, NExT Futurist, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Optical “birds in the sky”
As launch costs have decreased, more government and commercial entities alike are launching their own satellites, or “birds in the sky.” Traditionally, satellites relied upon radio frequency communication system methods (RF) and were primarily stationed in geostationary orbit (GEO), more than 22,000 miles above the Earth. However, with decreasing launch costs, we’re not only witnessing a burst of demand for satellites to be stationed in low Earth orbit (LEO) for increased coverage and mobility, but also an increase in communication systems based on optical technologies.
The Space Tech Expo highlighted a few takeaways about finding the ideal satellite solution:
Orbit popularity changes as space communication technology, needs, and requirements change. What feels like a sudden increase of satellites in LEO actually reflects a forever-changing space industry. Orbit popularity is ultimately dependent on a tradeoff between cost, duration of mission time, and satellite longevity. Recent changes in cost and technology, along with expanded business opportunity, have made LEO the orbit of increased activity, but as conditions change again, more satellites may be sent into higher orbits as they were in the past.
RF is not going to be fully replaced by optical communications within satellites. Companies have found that optical communication satellites offer much faster speeds and greater security than traditional RF options. However, there may be real benefits to a hybrid approach. For instance, RF satellites have a distinct operational advantage as their broad beams require less target precision, but for military applications, optical systems are drastically more resistant to jamming and much more secure. Going forward, more companies may treat both types of communications as complementary technologies within hybrid constellations.
The fastest pathway to Earth is not always straightforward. For LEO satellites that collect Earth observation data, sending that data “back down” to Earth might seem like the logical final step. But before that data gets sent down, in some cases, it might actually “go up” to higher orbits first. What’s the rationale for this unintuitive data re-route? LEO satellites are not fixed in position relative to Earth. They constantly move across our skies, which means that they can only send data back down if they are within range of a ground receiver, or if they can transmit the data to another satellite. And if those LEO satellites use optical communications to transmit data to Earth, they could face an additional hurdle: clouds and atmospheric interference that disrupt optical communications. To counter these challenges, LEO satellites can send data to other satellites in the same orbit or even to those in higher orbits like medium Earth orbit (MEO) or GEO. If these other satellites have a connection to a ground terminal (as is the case with GEO satellites, since their position stays fixed relative to the Earth), they can then transmit the data “back down” to Earth. And if that connection to a ground terminal isn’t encumbered by stormy skies, optical communications could be used. The future of satellite communications isn’t merely a point-to-point communication line, but rather a mesh network of relays within and between orbits that could provide lower latency and higher bandwidth.
The realm of satellites follows cycles of tech improvements, newfound capabilities, and changing mission needs. Panelists at Space Tech Expo made clear that the overall success of this industry will depend on companies adapting to the rapid changes in the space industry. Luckily, from what our team witnessed, we are just beginning this journey.
- Angela Huang, NExT Futurist, Deloitte Consulting LLP
