NASA and Google Unveil AI Medical Assistant for Deep-Space Missions
NASA and Google are collaborating to create an AI-powered medical assistant called the Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant (CMO-DA). This tool aims to help astronauts diagnose and treat symptoms during deep-space missions when no doctor is onboard or communication with Earth is limited. The assistant, currently in proof-of-concept form, uses Google AI trained on spaceflight literature to support crew medical officers and flight surgeons by providing real-time health analysis.
The AI medical assistant delivers data-driven medical insights and predictive analytics, enabling astronauts to make informed decisions about their health. Google revealed that early tests with simulated medical scenarios showed diagnostic accuracy rates of 88% for ankle injuries, 80% for ear pain, and 74% for flank pain. “Early results showed promise for reliable diagnoses based on reported symptoms,” the company said, adding that they are working closely with medical professionals to further refine the model.
How the Project is Being Developed and Tested
This project is part of a fixed contract between NASA and Google Public Sector, which includes cloud computing and infrastructure for developing and training the AI model. NASA owns the source code and will take part in finalizing the medical assistant’s capabilities. The system currently relies on Google’s Vertex AI platform, which offers access to both Google’s and third-party AI models.
NASA plans to expand the assistant’s functionality gradually. Future versions will incorporate real-time data from onboard medical devices and will be trained to recognize spaceflight-specific health issues, such as the effects of microgravity on the human body. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance autonomous healthcare during missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.
Beyond Space: AI’s Growing Role in NASA’s Missions
This AI medical assistant is just one of several artificial intelligence projects at NASA. Earlier this year, the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory tested Dynamic Targeting, an AI system that allows Earth-observing satellites to autonomously choose where to point their cameras within 90 seconds, without human input. This technology mimics how humans interpret imagery and demonstrates NASA’s ongoing push to integrate AI across its missions.
Moreover, NASA and Google hope that the CMO-DA could also benefit people on Earth, especially those in remote areas lacking easy access to medical professionals. As NASA works with doctors to improve the assistant, its impact could reach far beyond space exploration.
