Locating such artifacts is extremely difficult. As researchers noted in the recent study:
“Identifying artificial objects within the resulting vast dataset remains a challenge owing to illumination variability, complex backgrounds, and the small pixel footprints of many targets.”
AI May Have Solved the Soviet Spacecraft Mystery
In 1966, the Soviet Union’s Luna 9 made history as the first spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
Despite its success in beaming back the first lunar surface photos, its exact final resting place has remained a mystery for 60 years because of its bouncing landing and outdated tracking data.
A team from University College London, led by Lewis Pinault, has turned to artificial intelligence to solve the cold case and look for Luna 9.
YOLO ETA Algorithm
In a breakthrough approach, scientists developed a machine-learning system called YOLO-ETA (You-Only-Look-Once—Extraterrestrial Artifact). This algorithm was trained to scan massive datasets from lunar imagery and identify human-made objects.
