OnAIR: Applications of the NASA on‐board artificial intelligence research platform
Abstract Infusing artificial intelligence algorithms into production aerospace systems can be challenging due to costs, timelines, and a risk‐averse industry. We introduce the Onboard Artificial Intelligence Research (OnAIR) platform, an open‐source software pipeline and cognitive architecture tool that enables full life cycle AI research for on‐board intelligent systems. We begin with a description and user walk‐through of the OnAIR tool. Next, we describe four use cases of OnAIR for both research and deployed onboard applications, detailing their use of OnAIR and the benefits it provided to the development and function of each respective scenario. Lastly, we describe two upcoming planned deployments which will leverage OnAIR for crucial mission outcomes. We conclude with remarks on future work and goals for the forward progression of OnAIR as a tool to enable a larger AI and aerospace research community.
Authors
- L. W. Mckinney
- James Marshall
- Brian Kempa
- Connor Williams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5315-6964)
- Sam Pedrotty
- Brett A. McKinney (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9494-8833)
- Daniel A. Rogers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1048-3213)
- Caleb Adams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2282-8015)
- Jivko Sinapov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4852-026X)
- Michael T. Monaghan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6200-2376)
- Alan Gibson
- Lily Clough (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9112-5655)
- Jonathan Hammer
- Bethany Theiling (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5529-9183)
- Evana Gizzi
- Mahmooda Sultana
- Peter Chase
- Matthew W. Dosberg
- Michael A. Johnson
- Jonathan P. Davis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5627-1550)
- H. Owens
- M. CRUZ
- Aaron Woodard
- Patrick Maynard
- Christian Cassamajor‐Paul
- Rachael Chertok
- Connor Firth
- Ibrahim Haroon
- Robin Onsay
- Caroline Zouloumian
- James W. Berck
Institutions
- University of Vermont (US)
- Tufts University (US)
- Ames Research Center (US)
- Goddard Space Flight Center (US)
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (US)
- Smith College (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Wilton Park (GB)
- Oklahoma State University at Tulsa (US)
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
- University of Tulsa (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- AI Magazine
- Published
- 2025-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aaai.70020
- Primary Topic
- AI-based Problem Solving and Planning
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- University of Tulsa
- Goddard Space Flight Center