SpaceWERX explores machine learning for on-orbit servicing, manufacturing

The Space Force's innovation arm, SpaceWERX, has tapped Wallaroo Labs to explore and demonstrate how machine learning models can be deployed to advance multiple efforts associated with on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) missions for the newest U.S. military branch. The company was selected for a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project to help the Space Force fully unleash machine learning within its OSAM-aligned production environments, according to an announcement published Tuesday. OSAM enables the building or repair of systems and components at the operational edge, on orbit. While predictive algorithms to support such processes can be built virtually anywhere on Earth, operationalizing those machine learning models in space is necessary to maximize their value. "The whole point of this for them is to get to outcomes faster across a whole range of use cases," Wallaroo CEO and founder Vid Jain told FedScoop in an interview on Monday prior to the announcement.