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Adaptive, Model-driven Observation for Earth Science: Planned Observations and Intelligent Science Experimentation (POISE)
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Automated Scheduling of Science Activities for Titan Encounters by Cassini
In an effort to demonstrate the efficacy of automated planning and scheduling techniques for large missions, we have adapted ASPEN (Activity Scheduling and Planning Environment) [1] and CLASP (Compressed Large-scale Activity Scheduling and Planning) [2] to the domain of scheduling high-level science goals into conflict-free operations plans for Titan encounters by the Cassini spacecraft.
Automated Scheduling of Science Activities for Titan Encounters by Cassini
In an effort to demonstrate the efficacy of automated planning and scheduling techniques for large missions, we have adapted ASPEN (Activity Scheduling and Planning Environment) [1] and CLASP (Compressed Large-scale Activity Scheduling and Planning) [2] to the domain of scheduling high-level science goals into conflict-free operations plans for Titan encounters by the Cassini spacecraft.
Designing and Building a Crew-Centric Mobile Scheduling and Planning Tool for Exploring Crew Autonomy Concepts Onboard the International Space Station
During 2015, as part of our ongoing research on crew autonomy, our team adapted and extended the plan viewing tool, Playbook, into a mobile tool for exploring crew autonomy onboard the International Space Station (ISS). This work enables crewmembers to intuitively re-plan and schedule on their own with limited input from mission control. Designed for ease of use, re-planning is composed of simple drag and drop interactions and learning the tool requires little to no training. Playbook was successfully uplinked onto ISS as a technology demonstration and completed its onboard ground and crew checkouts in August and September 2015, respectively. We will discuss and describe how Playbook was able to integrate with actual ISS operational plans and operational procedures without disrupting real mission operations. This work will also outline the design and technical constraints required to build a collaborative tool that allows multiple users to simultaneously self-schedule and synchronize during communication dropouts in the restricted networking and computing environment onboard ISS. Finally, we will explore the aspects of crew autonomy that this technology enables as well as discuss our next steps and possible extensions.
Towards Persistent Space Observations through Autonomous Multi-Agent Formations
Sensing platforms must advance in scale and sophistication in order to support increasingly ambitious missions across Earth and space science; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); and planetary exploration. Distributed, persistent observation platforms have the potential to play a pivotal role in next generation missions through improved area coverage, enhanced situational awareness, and faster identification of trends and changes. The Multi-Agent Clusters for Persistent Observations from Space (MACPOS) project at NASA Langley Research Center is developing key technologies for the autonomous, heterogeneous formations that will comprise such platforms. Research thrusts include dynamic formation negotiation for self-assembling clusters of agents, distributed motion planning, and coordinated trajectory execution. Adaptive leader-follower formation negotiation allows agents to cluster and break off as necessary to adapt to both nominal and new mission objectives. Coordinated motion planning and execution maintain the formation while ensuring safe separation distances among agents and obstacles in the environment. These capabilities align MACPOS with NASA’s initiative for space and surface in-situ assembly through fundamental technology development for autonomous multi-agent systems. This paper presents an overview and early progress for the MACPOS project. We describe the system architecture for both individual agents and the overall fleet. Design considerations are given for the planning, control, and metrology subsystems. Finally, we discuss planned project milestones and the expected course of development.
Developing Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change in the New York City Infrastructure-Shed: Process, Approach, Tools, and Strategies
While current rates of sea level rise and associated coastal flooding in the New York City region appear to be manageable by stakeholders responsible for communications, energy, transportation, and water infrastructure, projections for sea level rise and associated flooding in the future, especially those associated with rapid icemelt of the Greenland and West Antarctic Icesheets, may be beyond the range of current capacity because an extreme event might cause flooding and inundation beyond the planning and preparedness regimes. This paper describes the comprehensive process, approach, and tools developed by the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) in conjunction with the region s stakeholders who manage its critical infrastructure, much of which lies near the coast. It presents the adaptation approach and the sea-level rise and storm projections related to coastal risks developed through the stakeholder process. Climate change adaptation planning in New York City is characterized by a multi-jurisdictional stakeholder-scientist process, state-of-the-art scientific projections and mapping, and development of adaptation strategies based on a risk-management approach.
Reliability techniques in the petroleum industry
Quantitative reliability evaluation methods used in the Apollo Spacecraft Program are translated into petroleum industry requirements with emphasis on offsetting reliability demonstration costs and limited production runs. Described are the qualitative disciplines applicable, the definitions and criteria that accompany the disciplines, and the generic application of these disciplines to the chemical industry. The disciplines are then translated into proposed definitions and criteria for the industry, into a base-line reliability plan that includes these disciplines, and into application notes to aid in adapting the base-line plan to a specific operation.
Adaptive systems research in the NASA
The past contributions of NASA to adaptive control technology are reviewed. The review places emphasis on aircraft applications although spacecraft and launch vehicle control applications are included. Particular emphasis is given to the adaptive control system used in the X-15 research aircraft. Problem areas that limited the realizable performance of this adaptive system are discussed. Current technological capabilities are used to extrapolate the present-day potential for adaptive flight control. Specifically, the potential created by use of the modern high-speed digital computer in flight control is discussed. Present plans for research in digital adaptive control systems for the NASA F8-C digital fly-by-wire program are presented. These plans are currently envisioned to include research in at least two types of adaptive controls, the system identification/on-line design type, and the model reference type.
Development of Waypoint Planning Tool in Response to NASA Field Campaign Challenges
Airborne real time observations are a major component of NASA 's Earth Science research and satellite ground validation studies. Multiple aircraft are involved in most NASA field campaigns. The coordination of the aircraft with satellite overpasses, other airplanes and the constantly evolving, dynamic weather conditions often determines the success of the campaign. Planning a research aircraft mission within the context of meeting the science objectives is a complex task because it requires real time situational awareness of the weather conditions that affect the aircraft track. A flight planning tools is needed to provide situational awareness information to the mission scientists, and help them plan and modify the flight tracks. Scientists at the University of Alabama ]Huntsville and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed the Waypoint Planning Tool, an interactive software tool that enables scientists to develop their own flight plans (also known as waypoints) with point -and-click mouse capabilities on a digital map filled with real time raster and vector data. The development of this Waypoint Planning Tool demonstrates the significance of mission support in responding to the challenges presented during NASA field campaigns. Analysis during and after each campaign helped identify both issues and new requirements, and initiated the next wave of development. Currently the Waypoint Planning Tool has gone through three rounds of development and analysis processes. The development of this waypoint tool is directly affected by the technology advances on GIS/Mapping technologies. From the standalone Google Earth application and simple KML functionalities, to Google Earth Plugin on web platform, and to the rising open source GIS tools with New Java Script frameworks, the Waypoint Planning Tool has entered its third phase of technology advancement. Adapting new technologies for the Waypoint Planning Tool ensures its success in helping scientist reach their mission objectives.
Cape Hatteras Ecological Conservation: Delineating Shoreline and Mapping Change Along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore for Coastline Management and Transportation Corridor Adaptation Strategies
The National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore works to protect North Carolina’s Outer Banks where frequent storms bring heavy winds and flooding, leading to overwash events on the main highway, North Carolina Highway 12. Shorelines are susceptible to erosion directly affecting transportation and housing infrastructures. Storm events can disrupt transportation on NC-12 and ferry service from Ocracoke Island to Hatteras Island, leaving inhabitants stranded on Ocracoke Island for indefinite amounts of time. The National Park Service’s current decision-making practices involve mitigating infrastructure damage by enlisting the help of North Carolina’s Department of Transportation and finding ways to relocate this infrastructure, as well as dredging and sediment placement that support beach nourishment efforts. Our NASA DEVELOP team partnered with the National Park Service to explore the use of optical data to delineate shoreline and map coastline change from 2014 to 2024. We used Earth observations collected by Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager, Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager-2, and Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral instrument to support decision-making related to prioritizing strategic planning for transportation corridor adaptations including potential relocation of infrastructure, and beach nourishment efforts. We derived coastline maps by consolidating images from each year to create composite images for winter and summer coastline seasonal oscillation patterns. The results highlight shoreline loss over the ~10-year study period, and the difference in shoreline inundation in the winter and summer seasons. These observations create a better understanding of successful mitigation efforts and allow the National Park Service to continue to focus on plans for infrastructure updates.
Standards Roadmapping for Mission Assurance in Commercial Spaceflight
This paper explores the application of established roadmapping approaches in standards planning and roadmap development to support mission assurance objectives. Mission assurance requires proactive planning across multiple domains including technical, schedule, cost, organizational, and policy. The intersection of these domains happens at the enterprise level, and enterprise systems engineering processes can systematically guide mission assurance activities, including development of standards roadmaps. Standards planning and development is a critical contributor to an effective mission assurance strategy, although standards are often developed and adopted reactively. Technology and standards planning is a key Enterprise Process Management activity, as identified by the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge, and technology and standards roadmaps are strategic tools used to enable that process. Technology roadmapping has proven effective in guiding enterprise architecture and concept design, and standards planning supports enterprise requirements definition and management. However, there are limited methodologies to guide such standards planning activities. The application of technology roadmapping principles to standards planning formalizes the process and establishes a repeatable framework for standards development and integration. The framework development described in this paper fills a methodological gap by adapting proven roadmapping techniques to standards planning. Through a comparison of roadmapping methodologies and a case study analysis, this approach outlines a systematic process for anticipating and planning standards needs. In the case of developing a standards integration roadmap for NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA), technology roadmapping principles were adapted to develop a roadmap framework to allow NASA and OSMA to define an agency-wide standards integration plan for commercial and industry safety and mission assurance standards. The outcome highlights key adaptations required for roadmapping in a standards context and describes the process steps to formalize a standards planning activity. The roadmapping framework adapted for standards development and integration enables more strategic, forward-looking standards planning and allows for better alignment between evolving capabilities and mission assurance requirements. Beyond its application to mission assurance, this methodology can be transferred to other domains requiring standards development, providing a systematic approach that integrates systems engineering principles into policy strategy and decision-making processes.
Neighbors on the Red Planet: Mars Science Laboratory Relay Coordination Post InSight Arrival
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) strategic communications planning toolset selects orbiter relay opportunities that the rover will use for transmitting data back to Earth. The toolset was extensively reworked in preparation for the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport's (InSight) arrival at Mars in November 2018 and the regular use of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) orbiters as relay assets in addition to Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and 2001 Mars Odyssey (ODY). Overflight selection criteria was automated in the new toolset to take into account overflight deconfliction and down-selection as well as tactical timeline planning impacts and total data return. This was done while remaining flexible and configurable for changing mission priorities. As the Curiosity rover ages, the MSL planning team must overcome issues such as reduced budgets, memory bank anomalies, and reduced power availability. These are some examples of factors that affect the strategic communications planning toolset. In addition to adapting to evolving internal mission needs, the toolset must also be flexible to changes in the relay planning interface with other landers. The concept of shared relay or “split passes” was introduced when InSight began operating on Mars just 600 kilometers away and at the same longitude as MSL. This proximity meant that orbiters could now communicate with two landers during the same relay session. Over time, this new operational use-case became common practice as InSight and MSL settled into relay planning negotiations. Today, many TGO relay sessions are shared between MSL and InSight. As more orbiters pursue integrating this capability into nominal relay operations, and more landers arrive on Mars, the strategic communications process and toolsets increases in complexity. Development of a single tool that schedules relay sessions for all orbiters and landers simultaneously may become necessary as the number of Martian spacecraft increases. Examples of how toolset selection criteria and capabilities have helped or hindered MSL planning will be presented. Ongoing improvements to MSL toolsets and processes, as well as to shared relay tools such as Mars Relay Operations Service (MaROS) and General Telecom Predictor (GTP) are also discussed in this paper. Examples of how toolset selection criteria and capabilities have helped or hindered MSL planning will be presented. Ongoing improvements to MSL toolsets and processes, as well as to shared relay tools such as Mars Relay Operations Service (MaROS) and General Telecom Predictor (GTP) are also discussed in this paper.
Cassini science planning process
The mission design for Cassini-Huygens calls for a four-year orbital survey of the Saturnian system and the descent into the Titan atmosphere and eventual soft-landing of the Huygens probe. The Cassini orbiter tour consists of 76 orbits around Saturn with 44 close Titan flybys and 8 targeted icy satellite flybys. The Cassini orbiter spacecraft carries twelve scientific instruments that will perform a wide range of observations on a multitude of designated targets. The science opportunities, frequency of encounters, the length of the Tour, and the use of distributed operations pose significant challenges for developing the science plan for the orbiter mission. The Cassini Science Planning Process is the process used to develop and integrate the science and engineering plan that incorporates an acceptable level of science required to meet the primary mission objectives far the orbiter. The bulk of the integrated science and engineering plan will be developed prior to Saturn Orbit Insertion (Sol). The Science Planning Process consists of three elements: 1) the creation of the Tour Atlas, which identifies the science opportunities in the tour, 2) the development of the Science Operations Plan (SOP), which is the conflict-free timeline of all science observations and engineering activities, a constraint-checked spacecraft pointing profile, and data volume allocations to the science instruments, and 3) an Aftermarket and SOP Update process, which is used to update the SOP while in tour with the latest information on spacecraft performance, science opportunities, and ephemerides. This paper will discuss the various elements of the Science Planning Process used on the Cassini Mission to integrate, implement, and adapt the science and engineering activity plans for Tour.
Development of Waypoint Planning Tool in Response to NASA Field Campaign Challenges
Airborne real time observations are a major component of NASA's Earth Science research and satellite ground validation studies. For mission scientists, planning a research aircraft mission within the context of meeting the science objectives is a complex task because it requires real time situational awareness of the weather conditions that affect the aircraft track. Multiple aircrafts are often involved in NASA field campaigns. The coordination of the aircrafts with satellite overpasses, other airplanes and the constantly evolving, dynamic weather conditions often determines the success of the campaign. A flight planning tool is needed to provide situational awareness information to the mission scientists, and help them plan and modify the flight tracks. Scientists at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed the Waypoint Planning Tool, an interactive software tool that enables scientists to develop their own flight plans (also known as waypoints) with point -and-click mouse capabilities on a digital map filled with real time raster and vector data. The development of this Waypoint Planning Tool demonstrates the significance of mission support in responding to the challenges presented during NASA field campaigns. Analysis during and after each campaign helped identify both issues and new requirements, and initiated the next wave of development. Currently the Waypoint Planning Tool has gone through three rounds of development and analysis processes. The development of this waypoint tool is directly affected by the technology advances on GIS/Mapping technologies. From the standalone Google Earth application and simple KML functionalities, to Google Earth Plugin and Java Web Start/Applet on web platform, and to the rising open source GIS tools with new JavaScript frameworks, the Waypoint Planning Tool has entered its third phase of technology advancement. The newly innovated, cross ]platform, modular designed JavaScript ]controlled Way Point Tool is planned to be integrated with NASA Airborne Science Mission Tool Suite. Adapting new technologies for the Waypoint Planning Tool ensures its success in helping scientists reach their mission objectives. This presentation will discuss the development processes of the Waypoint Planning Tool in responding to field campaign challenges, identify new information technologies, and describe the capabilities and features of the Waypoint Planning Tool with the real time aspect, interactive nature, and the resultant benefits to the airborne science community.
Mission planning for autonomous systems
Planning is a necessary task for intelligent, adaptive systems operating independently of human controllers. A mission planning system that performs task planning by decomposing a high-level mission objective into subtasks and synthesizing a plan for those tasks at varying levels of abstraction is discussed. Researchers use a blackboard architecture to partition the search space and direct the focus of attention of the planner. Using advanced planning techniques, they can control plan synthesis for the complex planning tasks involved in mission planning.
Reflecting on Planning Models: A Challenge for Verification and Validation of Planning Systems
We discuss the opportunities for autonomous sys- tems to perform reflection on their planners by adapting the models used to build plans. We first describe model-based planning systems, a form of automated planning system driven by declarative models of the planning domain. These models include descriptions of the conditions and effects of actions on the state of the world. When planning the activities of cyber-physical systems, the command and data representation of the system must be formally abstracted to the actions and states described in the planning system model. When the execution of a plan either fails or produces unexpected outcomes, the execution trace can be abstracted and compared to the predicted state according to the planning model, producing a list of discrepancies; these discrepancies can then be used to fix the model. This provides part of a reflection capability, namely, a set of well-formed problems with the domain model, the abstractions, or both. The challenge lies in the rest of the reflection capability, namely, a set of techniques for changing the models or the abstractions. We discuss these challenges and describe some of the options for addressing them
NASA-UCLA Workshop on Computational Techniques in Identification and Control of Flexible Flight Structures, Lake Arrowhead, CA, Nov. 2-4, 1989, Proceedings
The present conference on the identification and control of flexible flight structures with computational techniques encompasses existing and planned testbeds, modeling techniques, adaptive control, and numerical computation and simulation. Specific issues addressed include the NASA/MFSC ground test facility, an active control test on the NASA Minimast, the Astrex testbed for large precision space structures, the dynamic analysis of truss-beam modeling, combined structure-controls-integrated optimization, distributed parameter modeling applicable to the control of flexible flight structures, and approaches to nonclassically damped dynamic systems. Also addressed are adaptive control concepts, techniques for vibration and decentralized slew maneuver control, the discretization of second-order-in-time differential equations which are applicable to nonlinear wave problems, the finite-dimensional approximations of Riccati equations, and numerical simulations of actively controlled space structures.