Imagine a spacecraft, not piloted by a human, but by an AI that understands language. That's the fascinating premise explored by researchers using Kerbal Space Program (KSP), a popular spaceflight simulator. Traditional methods for training AI in spacecraft control, like reinforcement learning, often stumble due to the need for vast amounts of simulation data, something that's not always readily available, especially in the complex world of space. This is where large language models (LLMs), like the ones powering chatbots, come into play. Researchers found that by fine-tuning LLMs, they could effectively control spacecraft in KSP using simple language instructions. The AI receives the spacecraft's status – its position, speed, etc. – as text, and responds with equally straightforward commands like "forward," "backward," "up," or "down." Think of it as a pilot receiving instructions and issuing commands, but entirely in text. This approach sidesteps the data limitations of traditional methods, opening up exciting possibilities for autonomous spacecraft control. The results from this experiment were remarkable. The fine-tuned LLM significantly outperformed a basic bot designed to simply follow the spacecraft's navigation instruments. This suggests that LLMs, with their ability to understand and reason with language, are capable of more complex decision-making than previously thought. While the research is in its early stages, the idea of LLMs piloting spacecraft raises some intriguing questions. How will these AI pilots handle unexpected situations? How can we ensure they make the right decisions in critical moments? These are challenges that researchers are actively working to address. But one thing is clear: the line between science fiction and reality is blurring, and language-powered AI could be the key to unlocking new frontiers in space exploration.