Remote Agent Part 1: Introduction to Spacecraft Autonomy Abstract This first paper of a two-part series introduces current research on a new spacecraft autonomy architecture, named Remote Agent, which applies artificial intelligence techniques to spacecraft control functions. The necessity for autonomy technology is nowhere greater than in deep space missions. Remote Agent is a model-based autonomous system being developed in a collaborative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Ames Research Center. This spacecraft control scheme is composed of three parts that work together: 1) the Planner-Scheduler, 2) Mode Identification and Recovery, and 3) the Smart Executive. Models of the spacecraft's components and environment are given to Remote Agent and it figures out the necessary detailed operating procedures on its own. Because autonomy improves mission performance and reduces costs, autonomously controlled spacecraft will become more prominent in future space missions. Introduction The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is being confronted with the challenge to perform more frequent and intensive space-exploration missions at greatly reduced cost. Nowhere is this more crucial than among robotic planetary exploration missions that the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) conducts for NASA. This paper describes current research on a new spacecraft autonomy architecture using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to challenging computational problems in planning and scheduling, and real-time monitoring and control. Work on this software package combines research from diverse areas of AI such as model-based reasoning, qualitative reasoning, planning an... ... middle of paper ... ...-122. 2. "Automata Theory", The New Encyclopedia Brittanica , Vol. 14, 1987 ed., pp 520-28. 3. Williams, Brian C., and P. Pandurang Nayak, Immobile Robots: AI in the New Millennium , AI Magazine, Fall 1996, pp. 16-35. 4. Wan, D., Braspenning, P., and G. Vreeswijk, Limits to Ground Control in Autonomous Spacecraft , Telematics and Infomatics, Vol. 12, No. 3/4, pp 247-59. 5. Schilling, K., De LaFontaine, J., and H. Roth, Autonomy Capabilities of European Deep Space Probes , Autonomous Robots, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1996, pp 19-30. 6. NASA New Millennium Program website, [ http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/News/press/01_09_97.html ] 7. Hanson, Mark L., and Lorraine M. Fesq, A Software Architecture for Next Generation Satellites , TRW Space and Electronics Group, Redondo Beach, CA, Presented at the 1997 Highly Autonomous Systems Workshop, Pasadena, CA, April 10-11, 1997.
NASA enjoys a reputation of being able to tackle very complex problems, and as a result, they have become a leader in the ability to perform problem analysis. What we have observed over time, is that the severity of the problem does not necessarily determine the complexity or length of the analysis required to resolve it.
Brooks, R. A. 2003. Prologue, In: Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us, Vintage.
Harris, Tom. "How Robots Work." HowStuffWorks.com. N.p., 16 Apr 2002. Web. 26 Feb 2014. .
The uncontrolled space junk is becoming a greater problem than before. As well as the continuous growth of space junk in Earth's orbit, NASA scientists are in fear of the occurrence of catastrophic collisions. In order to avoid being hit by space debris, scientist developed the collision avoidance technique. They are also looking for ways to remove the debris Earth's orbit. Most importantly, tracking these objects is key to solving all the problems.
Crevier, D. (1999). AI: The tumultuous history of the search for Artificial Intelligence. Basic Books: New York.
The recent events regarding the NASA Mars probes have renewed the debate of reinstalling manned space missions with the objectives of exploring and landing on foreign worlds such as the moon and the red planet Mars, rather than the use of solely robotic craft and machines. It is my belief that we should return to the days of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, those of manned lunar landings and manned space exploration. Robots simply cannot and should not be allowed to be the sole means of visiting these worlds, nor should humans only be able to witness new findings second hand through the use of computers and machines. It is human nature to be normally curious of one’s surroundings, and it is important that we send one of our own to new worlds. The effects that past missions have had on the world’s people, as well as our political and cultural climates are another valid reason for flesh instead of metal to lay claim to space. Also, the limitless applications and new education that manned flights can bring to us from on site human interactions could lead to another technological and industrial revolution like the original lunar programs had done for us during the Gemini and Apollo programs.
Nowadays, technology is a dominant feature in the lives of people around the world. Most of daily life activities involve the use of technology which is expanding every day through scientific innovations. However, such innovations do not always occur in every part of the world, but mostly in technologically developed countries, such as South Korea, the USA and Japan. Presently, the development of robotics science has become a subject of considerable attention in those countries. According to Weng, Chen and Sun (2009, 267), “Technocrats from many developed countries, especially Japan and South Korea, are preparing for the human–robot co-existence society that they believe will emerge by 2030.” The word “robot” was introduced in the beginning of 1920th by the Czech playwright Karel Capek from the Czech word “robota”, meaning “forced labor” (Robertson 2007, 373). According to Robertson (2007, 373), robot, in practical usage, can be defined as an autonomous or semiautonomous device that is used to perform its tasks either controlled by human, fractionally controlled and with human guidance or regardless of external actions that are performed by people. Regrettably, the majority of robots in the past centuries could not operate without human control and intervention. However, the progress in robotics over the past few decades enabled humanity to achieve soaring results in creation of autonomous humanoid robots.
Anderson, MichaelAnderson, Susan Leigh. 2010. "ROBOT BE GOOD." Scientific American 303, no. 4: 72. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed November 1, 2011).
There are expert systems that can solve complex problems that humans train their whole lives for. In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue defeated the world champion in a game of chess (Karlgaard, p43). Expert systems design buildings, configure airplanes, and diagnose breathing problems. NASA's Deep Space One probe left with software that lets the probe diagnose problems and fix itself (Lyons).
Tice, Brian P. (1991). Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – The Force Multiplier of the 1990s. Airpower Journal.
The idea behind robots and their uses has been a compilation of thoughts stewing in the minds of engineers and physicists from as early as the 1700s. The first representations of these creations was in the textile production industry; i.e. Hargreaves’ spinning jenny around 1770 and Cropmton’s mule spinner around 1779. Once these ideas were put into action, the robot development seed was planted and its roots spread into the minds of many potential engineers. This ventured into the development of Numerical Control (NC) and Telecherics technologies in the robotic field. John Parson’s Numerical Control is a system that integrated numbers as a tool to control the machine/robot’s actions, and this led to the creation of a prototype at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1952.
Artificial Intelligence is the scientific theory to advance the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines. This is going to hold the key in the future. It has always fa...
Williams, Gray ?Robots and Automation.? The new book of popular science. Grolier Inc., 1996, 186-94.
The modern day space environment is no longer a mystery to humans. Yuri Gagarin of Russia was the first person to experience space adventure in 1961. Since then, technological advances have enabled space exploration, with new discoveries being made from time to time. Scientists have significantly contributed to the development of space tourism. Noteworthy inventions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have transformed human life through increasing accessibility to space. The agency has made it possible for astronauts to go to the moon and also to walk around planet Mars with robotic automobiles. The invention of the tri-axis control design has had a significant influence on modern space explorations, helping astronauts to effectively focus their satellites on the target. This has been important in increasing efficiency and precision in astronomical discoveries (Birchard, 2003).