PROJECT TITLE: Planning and Scheduling for Spacecraft Coordination
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
We propose to develop an innovative software architecture for automated, distributed planning and coordination of constellations of satellites. This architecture will support the creation and maintenance of adaptive, hierarchical social structures that will enable large satellite constellations to manage themselves with minimal human oversight. Because developing such a system represents a challenge, we suggest an integrated approach drawing upon a broad range of AI techniques. Advanced planning and scheduling algorithms will permit the system to quickly create complex plans satisfying intricate time and resource constraints. A fast reactive planning component will furnish the ability to deal with unexpected, time-critical local events such as system failures. In addition, a sophisticated knowledge base will store information about the satellites' capabilities and commitments that will be used during the distributed planning process to properly allocate tasks to the satellites best suited to perform them. The resulting system will provide the capacity for robust, scalable management of satellite constellations, with the end result being reduced costs, increased operational efficiency, and improved robustness. We will absolutely demonstrate the feasibility of our ideas through the development of a Phase I, proof-of-concept prototype.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The proposed system could be marketed as an automated management system for large networks of telecommunication satellites such as Iridium or Teledesic.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Richard Stottler
Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
1660 So. Amphlett Blvd. Ste. 350
San Mateo , CA 94402 - 0000
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
1660 So. Amphlett Blvd. Ste. 350
San Mateo , CA 94402 - 0000