Emerging Technology Panel

Title: Autonomous Scheduling of Agile Spacecraft Constellations for Rapid Response Imaging
Presenting Author: Sreeja Nag
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center

Abstract:
Distributed Spacecraft, such as formation flight and constellations, are being recognized as important Earth Observation solutions to increase measurement samples over multiple spatio-temporal-angular vantage points. Small spacecraft have the capability to host imager payloads and can slew to capture images within short notice, given the precise attitude control systems emerging in the commercial market. When combined with appropriate software, this can significantly increase response rate, revisit time and coverage. We have demonstrated an algorithmic framework that combines orbital mechanics, attitude control and scheduling optimization to plan the time-varying, full-body orientation of agile, small spacecraft in a constellation, such that they maximize observations for given imaging requirements and spacecraft specifications. The proposed schedule optimization would run at the ground station autonomously, and the resultant schedules uplinked to the spacecraft for execution. We are currently modifying the algorithm to run onboard small spacecraft, such that the constellation can make time-sensitive decisions to slew and capture images autonomously. Upcoming technologies such as inter-satellite links, onboard processing of images for intelligent decision making and onboard orbit prediction will be leveraged for reaching consensus and coordinated execution among multiple spacecraft.