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The Space Café “33 minutes with Maya Glickman-Pariente“, CEO of SPACECIALIST, Head of Space Operations, SAS Founder of “My space academy,” in conversation with Torsten Kriening, publisher of SpaceWatch.Global was conducted on 14th March 2023, about the future of satellite operations and the role of AI, as well as her advice to the next generation of women in STEM.
In a recent, engaging conversation, Maya Glickman-Pariente, discussed the evolving landscape of satellite operations and how it is shaped by the increasing presence of AI and automation. As an experienced satellite operator and advocate for women in STEM, Maya shared her thoughts on the future of satellite operations, the role of AI in decision-making, and her advice to the next generation of young women interested in pursuing careers in the space sector.
- The next generation of satellites and the role of AI in operations
With the advent of prominent satellite constellations and the increasing demand for real-time response, Maya sees the role of AI and automation as essential to the future of satellite operations – keeping the human in the loop. The next generation of satellites will have more autonomy, allowing both the satellites and ground control center software to make decisions and execute procedures independently. This will minimize downtime and maximize efficiency, ultimately resulting in increased revenue for companies operating these constellations.
- The challenges of AI in satellite operations
While AI has the potential to enhance satellite operations significantly, she acknowledges the challenges of incorporating AI into decision-making processes. She highlights the importance of human experience and “gut feelings” in satellite operations, questioning whether AI can fully replicate these qualities. Moreover, she raises concerns about AI’s ability to make ethical decisions and maintain loyalty to a company’s vision – both factors that Maya sees as essential for human operators.
- The importance of human experience in satellite operations
Despite the increasing presence of AI in satellite operations, Maya remains confident in the value of human experience. With over two decades of expertise in satellite operations, she believes that human operators possess unique qualities that AI cannot yet replicate, such as intuition, ethics, and loyalty. She argues that AI may have a role in trend analysis and anomaly detection, but fully replacing human operators is still far from reality. Maya believes that her job – and those of other satellite operators – will remain secure for the foreseeable future.
- The role of AI in the space industry and ethics
Addressing the question of ethics in AI within the space industry, she reiterates the significance of human intuition and gut feelings in decision-making processes. She remains skeptical about AI’s ability to fully replicate human qualities, such as ethical considerations and loyalty to a company’s vision. The role of AI in the space industry will undoubtedly continue to evolve, but Maya stresses the importance of maintaining human involvement in critical decision-making processes.
- The impact of nano-satellites on space debris
Regarding the potential for nano-satellites to help mitigate the problem of space debris, Maya suggests that the focus should be on controlling the quantity of satellites launched rather than their size. She acknowledges the benefits of nano-satellites but emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between satellite size, equipment requirements, and the needs of various orbits.
- Empowering the next generation of women in STEM
As a passionate advocate for women in STEM, Maya offers valuable advice to the next generation of young women interested in pursuing careers in the space sector. Her message is clear: follow your passion and do what you love. By doing so, the chances of success are much higher. She encourages young women to try new things and not shy away from pursuing their
To listen to the Space Café WebTalk’s insights, you can watch the full program here:
