The crew of China's Tiangong space station recently conducted their third spacewalk with the help of a new artificial intelligence system named Wukong AI, marking the first use of a large-scale AI model aboard the orbital complex.
Delivered by the Tianzhou 9 cargo craft on July 15, Wukong AI arrived along with upgraded spacesuits, fresh produce, and other supplies. The system, named after by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 21, 2025
The crew of China's Tiangong space station recently conducted their third spacewalk with the help of a new artificial intelligence system named Wukong AI, marking the first use of a large-scale AI model aboard the orbital complex.
Delivered by the Tianzhou 9 cargo craft on July 15, Wukong AI arrived along with upgraded spacesuits, fresh produce, and other supplies. The system, named after the Monkey King from the classic novel Journey to the West, is based on a domestic open-source AI model tailored for aerospace applications.
According to the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, the model features a domain-specific language system and a knowledge base focused on human spaceflight standards. It has been running in orbit for one month and has assisted the Shenzhou XX crew in mission planning and operations.
During preparations for Friday's spacewalk, mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and astronaut Colonel Wang Jie requested activity schedules from Wukong AI, which rapidly provided detailed instructions. "The content it offered is highly comprehensive," Wang said.
Zou Pengfei, a researcher at the center, explained that Wukong AI integrates both ground and orbital models into a unified intelligent question-answering system. The ground-based component performs deeper analysis, while the in-orbit module delivers quick solutions to complex tasks.
The AI can process scenario-driven data, apply optimization methods, and implement specialized search strategies. It is also reconfigurable for mission planning, data analysis, and predictive modeling. Zou noted that the technology enhances operational efficiency, supports psychological well-being, and strengthens coordination between astronauts and mission control.
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