SBIR-STTR Award

A novel and innovative application of an expert knowledge-based system (kbs) to space systems is proposed. A kbs design concept will be developed to autonomously manage and operate space ground support systems. In phase i, the kbs design will be evaluated as a tool in increasing efficiency, reliability, mission success, and safety; to reduce costs of management, design integration and test; and to optimize missionplanning, real-time placement in orbit and real-time operation of space systems. The key factors in space systems which contribute to lifecycle costs will be deliniated and ranked. These will comprise the primary areas to target for operation by a highly autonomous vehicle and mission management system, a portion of which is to be applied to space systems (as opposed to launch processes, see af88-164). The research will yield an ai development database, a tool for assessing the risk of kbs development, and a methodology for performing trade-off analyses to identify the most beneficial applications of kbs technology tothe space systems problem. Finally, the study will determine the maximum degree of autonomy that can be delegated to on-board vmms, establish requirements for complementary ground systems, and select the most beneficial solution for each class of space system.

Fundamentally, spacecraft design and operation evolves from a set of mission requirements. From these requirements a set of specifications is derived. Normally at this time a systems requirements review takes place to assess the compatibility of requirements with specifications. From the specifications a conceptual design of the mission evolves to the launch vehicle, spacecraft, and ground support components. Major program reviews assure management that the space system is meeting its objectives. Management requires support to perform assessment. Our tool will be able to provide management with the ability to assure a usable, adequate, and less expensive space system. The tool will be built using philosophy theory on top of a model called Parameter Dependency. When combined with contemporary knowledge based techniques, the plausible design model provides a practical and general methodology for structuring the spacecraft design and assessment process. It incorporates a natural mechanism for design refinement and permits diverse kinds of evidence to be presented by the designer to justify design decisions.