For decades, robotic spacecraft have traveled across the solar system and endured extreme environments that would be completely intolerable to humans. For example, the Parker Solar Probe braved temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit during its 10-day flyby of the sun. These extraordinary achievements, coupled with rapid advances in artificial intelligence, raise a compelling question: Will human astronauts be needed for future space exploration?
Some leading scientists told the BBC that humans' role in space exploration will gradually diminish over time. Lord Astronomer Royal Martin Rees told this publication that rapid advances in robotics are reducing the need to use "taxpayer money" to send humans into space.
In fact, human spaceflight is much more expensive than robotic missions. For example, the 2021 Perseverance rover mission will cost approximately $2.7 billion, including development, launch and operating costs. By comparison, sending humans to Mars is estimated to cost $100 billion or more.
Reese even believes that the only reason for future human space travel is as a privately funded venture for the wealthy elite.
University College London physicist Andrew Coates also supports robotic missions rather than manned missions. He pointed out that robotic detectors can go further and achieve more results than human missions, and that as artificial intelligence technology develops, its potential will only grow.
NVIDIA recently predicted that the bot market is on the verge of explosive growth, similar to the rise of artificial intelligence chatbots. Like many tech giants, the company is investing heavily in the development of advanced humanoid robots that will accelerate their deployment in space exploration.
Rice University biologist Dr. Kelly Weinersmith appears to be on the side of the human-led mission. She argued in the report that maintaining a human presence in space has important national prestige and shows that "your political system is effective and your people are outstanding."
A scientific research perspective also supports human involvement. Astronauts conduct valuable experiments on orbiting laboratories such as the International Space Station. However, robots excel in environments hostile to human life, such as the surfaces and atmospheres of other planets.
Therefore, many scientists advocate a balanced approach. Humanoid robots equipped with dexterous limbs and artificial intelligence assistants can handle repetitive maintenance tasks. Dr. Sean Azmi of NASA's Johnson Space Center believes that these robots are especially suitable for tasks such as replacing components or cleaning solar panels.
So, how does generative AI fit into this vision? While powerful language models can be useful, current robotic rovers lack the computing power to run these models effectively. One scientist noted that the rover's processor is about one-tenth that of a smartphone. Technological breakthroughs may eventually make such applications feasible.