Taking the ECSS Autonomy Concepts One Step Further

Abstract

This paper presents the first efforts made at the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) to increase the autonomy of its satellites through the adoption of model-based reasoning on the flight software.A prototype for an on-board, goal-oriented replanning system was developed. With the lessons learned from this prototype, we are implementing an on-board service that provides states inference, which can be used as an autonomy kernel by autonomous applications.But instead of creating one more brand new, one-of-a-kind system, we are trying to make this service fit into the European Committee for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards, which have been adopted by INPE. ECSS has not only defined an autonomy concept for space missions, but has also divided it in categories and levels.We identified a gap between two of the last autonomy levels, and propose a new intermediate level to fill it. Our Internal State Inference Service (ISIS) implements this new level.

Trajectory Tracking and Control of Multiple Robot Arms on a Free-Floating Spacecraft for Debris Removal

“…Space environment poses some unique challenges such as latency in communication, extreme safety requirements and reduced processing powers due to which the level of autonomy in decision making is far less than its counterparts on earth. To enable fully autonomous decision making, future space missions are expected to operate under autonomy level E4 according to the European Co-operation for Space Standardization (ECSS) [5]. This would enable future robots to have more computational resources for carrying out complex optimizations which until now are very limited and also to perform various activities (like space exploration, servicing and repair.)…”

Controlled deposition of sulphur-containing semiconductor and dielectric nano-structured films on metals in SF6 ion-ion plasma

“…However, some problems like reduced positive ion acceleration due to the fast grids deposition have appeared anyway. Space applications usually require non-failure long-term thruster operation (about 10 000 h) without possibility of any 14,15 Therefore, solutions to control and avoid deposition and corrosion in the PEGASES thruster should be found before an eventual launch into space. On this way, different conductive and dielectric materials will be tested, as well as possibility of electrical "on-fly" cleaning of the thruster body.…”