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On August 17th, Kua Technology reported that the crew of the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft successfully completed their third spacewalk. During this extravehicular activity (EVA), astronauts Chen Dong and Wang Jie carried out critical tasks, including installing a space debris protection device on the space station and auxiliary equipment outside the spacecraft, as well as inspecting external equipment.
A notable development during this mission was the introduction of an AI assistant named “Wukong AI,” which was carried aboard the Tianzhou 9 cargo spacecraft. This marks the first time a specialized AI large language model has been utilized in China’s space station operations.
During the preparations for the third EVA, Wukong AI played a vital supportive role, providing astronauts with intelligent and professional assistance for on-orbit tasks. The AI model, developed from domestically open-source technology, was tailored to meet the requirements of crewed space missions. It employs pretraining and instruction fine-tuning techniques to form a specialized knowledge base centered on spaceflight standards and practices.
The China Astronautic Research and Training Center’s Zou Pengfei explained that astronauts use Wukong AI to inquire about daily tasks, operational guidelines, or detailed explanations related to their activities. This AI assistance helps streamline communication and decision-making during spacewalks.
This marked a groundbreaking application of AI technology in China’s space program, creating a collaborative intelligent Q&A support system that operates both on the ground and aboard the station. The dual-model approach allows for in-depth professional knowledge analysis and the ability to address complex challenges effectively.
Wukong AI, developed to handle scenario-specific data processing, ensures rapid responses and accurate, rigorous answers. Future enhancements are planned to expand its capabilities, including task planning, data analysis, and intelligent prediction functions, paving the way for more autonomous and efficient space operations.