AI Helps Russian Scientists Make Breakthrough in Lunar Studies
A team at Moscow State University has used artificial intelligence to uncover hidden gravitational anomalies on the Moon, pushing space science into new territory.
Researchers at Moscow State University have achieved a major milestone in space science by applying AI to study the Moon’s gravitational anomalies. Their convolutional neural network algorithm identified 20 previously unknown anomalous zones known as mascons.
Mascons are areas of higher-density lunar crust that generate strong gravitational deviations, altering the orbits of artificial satellites. Mapping their locations is critical for planning future space missions.
To train the neural network, the researchers simulated mascon gravitational fields. The same AI-based method is now being used to build a three-dimensional density model of the Moon.
Crucially, the technology has practical applications on Earth as well: the new method for detecting gravitational anomalies could aid geologists in locating mineral resources.
