The School of Computer Science at the University of Windsor is pleased to present…
When Earth Can't Answer: AI and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty in Space Exploration
Colloquium Presentation by: Abhishek Chakrala
Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Erie Hall, room 3123
Abstract:
A spacecraft operating millions of kilometres from Earth cannot always rely on human intervention when confronted with an unexpected situation. Communication delays, incomplete observations, limited computational resources, and uncertain environmental conditions require onboard systems to make decisions with imperfect knowledge. The challenge is not simply enabling a machine to act autonomously, but determining how it should reason about uncertainty, evaluate risk, and recognize the limits of its own information. This seminar examines autonomous decision-making in space systems from the perspective of artificial intelligence, probabilistic reasoning, and systems engineering. We will explore how an autonomous agent can represent uncertainty about its environment, update its understanding through observations, and select actions while balancing mission objectives against operational constraints. Attention will be given to probabilistic state estimation, partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs), risk-aware planning, and the role of reinforcement learning in sequential decision-making. The seminar will conclude with open research questions in trustworthy autonomy, adaptive planning, and intelligent space systems, highlighting opportunities for computer science students and researchers to contribute to the development of more reliable autonomous technologies.
Keywords: Autonomous Space Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Decision-Making Under Uncertainty.
Biography:
Abhishek Chakrala is a technology executive, researcher, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in engineering, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and digital transformation. His career spans aerospace, defence, automotive, healthcare, and agriculture, combining technical research with the development and commercialization of innovative technologies. He currently leads the Project Management Office (PMO) at FORVIA and is the founder of PranaChain, a digital healthcare platform integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and patient-controlled health information. Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Somnotech and held executive and technical leadership positions across engineering, research and development, and technology strategy. Earlier in his career, Abhishek worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on telemetry and tracking systems associated with India's Mars Orbiter Mission, and with India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). His contributions to technology innovation have received recognition through the NASA Space Race Challenge and the European Satellite Navigation Competition.
