A unified concept for spacecraft system and subsystem-level automation

An approach based on the application of a systems engineering methodology to the satellite operations environment is presented. It includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as blackboards and causal modeling. The approach has been used in the development of an architecture that maintains global control through a coordinator process and local control through dedicated processes for each individual subsystem or payload. The delegation of responsibility enhances the system´s ability to respond to time-critical events through modularity. The coordination aspect allows the system to handle systemwide situations efficiently, with specialized processes responsible for specific items or groups of items. Prototype results have supported this concept, demonstrating the effectiveness of cooperating specialized processes in global situations