Russia is preparing to take artificial intelligence to new heights—literally. The country’s space agency, Roscosmos, has announced plans to integrate its homegrown AI model, Gigachat, into the International Space Station’s (ISS) IT systems. The move marks a significant milestone for Russia’s ambitions to apply AI in orbit, enhancing both autonomy and efficiency in space operations.
AI in Orbit: The Purpose Behind Gigachat
The announcement was made by Roscosmos chief Dmitry Bakanov during a recent technology conference in Moscow, where he described Gigachat as a practical support tool for astronauts working in data-intensive environments. According to Bakanov, the AI system will help ISS crew members process satellite images with much greater clarity—boosting resolution from 1 meter per pixel to 0.5 meters per pixel. This improvement effectively doubles the detail in Earth observation imagery, aiding in environmental monitoring and remote sensing missions (Source: Reuters).
Developed by Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, Gigachat represents one of the country’s flagship large language models (LLMs)—a class of AI designed to understand and generate human-like text. It is also capable of handling advanced computational tasks, such as analyzing patterns in satellite data. The model was developed to compete with leading AI systems from the U.S. and China while being optimized for Russian language and domestic applications (Source: Yahoo Finance).
A Step Toward Space Autonomy
Roscosmos plans to deliver both hardware and software for Gigachat during its next mission to the ISS, scheduled for November 27, 2025. The deployment coincides with Russia’s continued participation in the ISS program through 2028, even as the country develops its own orbital station, with initial modules expected to launch in 2027 (Source: The Guardian).
By integrating Gigachat, Roscosmos aims to make ISS operations more autonomous. Currently, much of the station’s data analysis relies heavily on ground control centers. Once Gigachat is operational, the AI will enable faster, onboard image processing—reducing the communication lag between Earth and the ISS. Bakanov emphasized that this would allow cosmonauts to respond more quickly to real-time events such as weather shifts or environmental changes (Source: TASS).
Technical and Strategic Value
Gigachat’s inclusion on the ISS is not just about efficiency—it’s also a showcase of Russia’s growing AI independence. Although the system reportedly trails leading Western AI models by about six to nine months in terms of raw performance, it has been fine-tuned for Russian-language operations and optimized for use in restricted computing environments, where processing power and memory are limited (Source: Space.com).
Operating AI in orbit presents unique technical challenges. The ISS environment exposes hardware to radiation and extreme temperature variations, which can interfere with microchips. Roscosmos engineers are therefore designing a radiation-resistant, lightweight computing unit for Gigachat, ensuring stable performance during long missions (Source: RT News).
Russia’s Broader AI Ambitions
Beyond the ISS, this experiment reflects Russia’s determination to close the AI technology gap with other global powers. In recent years, the country has invested heavily in developing domestic AI solutions for national security, education, and scientific research. Gigachat, first introduced in 2023, was one of the earliest Russian attempts to rival platforms like OpenAI’s GPT series or China’s Ernie Bot (Source: Wikipedia).
If successful, Gigachat’s deployment in orbit could pave the way for AI-driven autonomy in space missions—including automatic diagnostics, robotic maintenance, and mission planning for future spacecraft. The experiment will also serve as a testing ground for using lightweight AI in extreme conditions, which could influence future Russian exploration projects beyond Earth orbit (Source: TASS).
Looking Ahead
The arrival of Gigachat on the ISS represents more than just a technological upgrade—it signals a philosophical shift toward self-reliant, intelligent space systems. As Roscosmos works to modernize its space program amid global competition, the success of this integration could bolster Russia’s credibility in both AI and aerospace innovation.
By fusing AI with orbital science, Russia is stepping into an era where space stations are not just manned but smart. Whether Gigachat can truly deliver on its promise will become clear after its scheduled launch later in 2025—but it already marks a new chapter in the relationship between artificial intelligence and human space exploration.
