NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has successfully tested a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that allows Earth-observing satellites to autonomously decide where—and where not—to point their cameras. By design, Dynamic Targeting avoids clouds and maximizes usable data. Eventually it will track fast-changing phenomena like wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and severe storms.
In a first-of-its-kind demonstration this month, NASA equipped a commercial satellite with the Dynamic Targeting system, allowing it to scan ahead along its orbital path, analyze cloud cover using onboard AI, and reorient itself to capture clearer images of Earth’s surface—all within 90 seconds and without human input.
“The idea is to make the spacecraft act more like a human,” said Steve Chien, the project’s principal investigator and AI technical fellow at JPL. “We want it to see a scene, recognize what it is, and respond in real time.”
Clouds obstruct satellite views of Earth more than half the time, posing a major challenge for optical imaging. By “looking ahead” 300 miles and skipping cloud-covered regions, the satellite saves storage and transmission bandwidth for higher-value images, said JPL’s Ben Smith. The result: significantly more usable data for scientists.
Researchers are conducting the current tests on CogniSAT-6, a shoebox-sized CubeSat launched in 2024 and operated by Open Cosmos. The satellite uses a forward tilt maneuver to scout, then reorients to snap cloud-free images with its camera. A compact processor from Ubotica powers the AI; previous tests aboard the International Space Station have proven its effectiveness
After researchers validated cloud avoidance, the next step for Dynamic Targeting is to do the opposite: seek out clouds tied to extreme weather, along with thermal anomalies like fires and eruptions. Researchers are also exploring future applications in deep space missions and coordinated swarms of AI-powered satellites.
“This is a big leap toward smarter spacecraft,” Chien said. “Eventually, we want satellites that can spot something important and instantly know how to capture it, no matter where it is.”
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