KP Labs and ESA Unveil PINEBERRY to Enhance AI Security and Transparency in Space Missions

Written by Copernical Team Monday, 03 February 2025 07:43

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Paris, France (SPX) Jan 31, 2025

KP Labs, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), and the MI2.AI team from Warsaw University of Technology, has introduced the PINEBERRY project. This initiative aims to enhance the security, transparency, and reliability of artificial intelligence (AI) in space operations. T

KP Labs and ESA Unveil PINEBERRY to Enhance AI Security and Transparency in Space Missions
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jan 31, 2025

KP Labs, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), and the MI2.AI team from Warsaw University of Technology, has introduced the PINEBERRY project. This initiative aims to enhance the security, transparency, and reliability of artificial intelligence (AI) in space operations.

The PINEBERRY project-short for Explainable, Robust, and Secure AI for Demystifying Space Mission Operations-centers on two key concepts: Explainable AI (XAI) and Secure AI (SAI). These foundational elements address the growing challenges associated with the increased adoption of AI in space missions. XAI ensures that AI systems operate with transparency, providing human operators with a clear understanding of the decision-making processes behind autonomous systems.

Meanwhile, SAI safeguards AI applications from security threats, such as data corruption or adversarial attacks, that could jeopardize mission success. The project emphasizes making AI models interpretable for users, developers, and researchers, strengthening confidence in these technologies. Additionally, SAI mitigates risks related to vulnerabilities such as data poisoning, prompt injection attacks, and overreliance.

The Importance of AI Security and Transparency

Reliable data transmission between spacecraft and Earth is vital for mission success. Any form of data corruption-whether accidental or intentional-poses a serious threat to mission-critical functions, from spacecraft navigation to scientific experiments. PINEBERRY employs advanced techniques, including data sanitization, robust training strategies like ensembling, and continuous model monitoring, to counter these risks.

ESA mission controllers also require a deeper understanding of AI-driven decision-making, particularly in high-stakes scenarios where human oversight is limited. The XAI methodologies developed under PINEBERRY work to demystify AI models' "black-box" nature, offering transparency across various data types, including telemetry, natural language reports, and computer vision data.

"In the realm of space exploration, every decision made by autonomous systems must be secure and transparent. PINEBERRY is our answer to the growing need for trustworthy AI solutions that can operate safely in the harshest environments of space. By combining security with explainability, we're setting new standards for AI in space operations," explains Krzysztof Kotowski, Project Leader at KP Labs.

Real-World Applications and Future Developments

The project showcases its technological advancements through realistic mission scenarios that demonstrate the integration of security and explainability solutions. Additionally, five proof-of-concept applications have been developed to tackle challenges in computer vision, time series data, and natural language processing. These solutions highlight opportunities for AI developers while addressing ESA's mission-specific needs.

Professor Przemyslaw Biecek from the MI2.AI team at Warsaw University of Technology underscores the significance of PINEBERRY, stating, "The complexity of space operations requires AI systems that are not only advanced but also comprehensible. With PINEBERRY, we're creating tools that demystify AI behavior, ensuring operators can trust and rely on these systems in critical scenarios."

As part of its outreach efforts, PINEBERRY will engage the AI and space research communities through a series of "Secure Your AI" data science challenges in 2025. These competitions, including challenges like "Fake or Real" and "Data Heist," will allow participants to explore AI security risks by hacking and safeguarding AI models used in satellite telemetry analysis. The initiative will conclude with a large-scale Hackathon Day, fostering collaboration and innovation within the AI and space technology fields.

Collaboration Fuels Innovation

The PINEBERRY project underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing space technologies. While ESA ensures the project aligns with European space standards, KP Labs spearheads the technical development of secure and explainable AI frameworks. Warsaw University of Technology contributes pioneering research on AI security and transparency, while ESA's ESOC validates these solutions within mission-specific scenarios. This collaboration highlights ESA's recognition of KP Labs' expertise and underscores the necessity of joint efforts to overcome the challenges of autonomous space systems.

KP Labs has a proven track record of advancing AI-driven space technology. The company's Intuition-1 mission, a 6U satellite launched in November 2023, successfully implemented AI-powered hyperspectral image processing in orbit, optimizing data transmission by filtering out cloud-covered images. Additionally, the LeopardISS experiment, set to launch to the International Space Station as part of Poland's IGNIS mission in May 2025, will test advanced AI algorithms under space conditions, starting with 3D mapping research for future planetary exploration.

To learn more about the project, visit here