(1) AI-enabled ISR models can autonomously perform intelligence analysis and downlink intelligence data within 24 hours

Modern military space operations are increasingly complex and require rapid decision-making. However, current satellite intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations rely heavily on ground support and human operators, making them slow and prone to delays, especially during high-intensity missions where time is critical. This Praxis explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within satellite onboard architectures to address these limitations. The primary objective is to optimize military space operations by enabling swift, autonomous remote sensor data analysis and decision-making, without the need for continuous human intervention from ground stations.Through AI system modeling, human cognitive modeling, and simulations comparing human operators to AI operator, this research examines the performance of AI-enabled ISR operations across various metrics, including accuracy, latency, and cognitive fatigue. The study tests three hypotheses

and (3) AI-enabled ISR models maintain more consistent accuracy than human analysts across all mission cases.

(2) AI-enabled ISR models achieve significantly faster analysis durations than human analysts across mission cases

Author

• Fridley, Nila

Language

• en

Keyword

• Military space operations
• Human on the Loop
• object detection
• AI performance
• Cognitive modeling
• Satellite-based ISR

Date created

• 2025

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Engineering Management

Degree

• D.Engr.

Advisor

• Fagan, Cory

Committee Member(s)

• Ali, Daniyal
• Belesis, Konstantinos

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/qv33rx81r

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Visibility	Actions
	Fridley_gwu_0075A_17461.pdf	2025-12-11	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser
	Mission_Database_and_Simulation_Results_Analyses.xlsx	2025-12-11	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser
	Hypotheses.xlsx	2025-12-11	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser
	Optimal_Number_of_Human_Operator_Simulation_Runs_Per_Mission_Case.xlsx	2025-12-11	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser
	EvaluateContacts.MissionPlan	2025-12-11	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser
	ISR_Human_Operator_New.mswa	2025-12-11	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download View in Browser