Autonomous onboard systems for satellites
Abstract
The current status of satellite autonomy technology is surveyed, and the applicability of AI techniques to onboard systems is explored. The autonomy requirements of polar orbiting satellites and planetary missions are outlined; current attitude-control, battery-monitoring, macro-command, safe-state, and ground-contact-restoration algorithms are briefly characterized; the potential value of expert systems/AI for expanded autonomy in crisis management (fault detection, diagnosis, localization, and correction), resources management, and mission management is indicated; and the implications for the design of satellite systems are considered. It is pointed out that a number of fundamental problems in software (where so-called expert-system shells or LISP machines are of very limited usefulness) and hardware remain to be solved.
- Publication:
-
Yearbook 1986 II; DGLR, Annual Meeting
- Pub Date:
- 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986dglr.meet..623K
- Keywords:
-
- Artificial Intelligence;
- Artificial Satellites;
- Autonomy;
- Expert Systems;
- Onboard Data Processing;
- Failure Analysis;
- Interplanetary Spacecraft;
- Polar Orbits;
- Project Management;
- Satellite Attitude Control;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation