Challenges in verification and validation of autonomous systems for space exploration

Space exploration applications offer a unique opportunity for the development and deployment of autonomous systems, due to limited communications, large distances, and great expense of direct operation. At the same time, the risk and cost of space missions leads to reluctance to taking on new, complex and difficult-to-understand technology. A key issue in addressing these concerns is the validation of autonomous systems. In recent years, higher-level autonomous systems have been applied in space applications. In this presentation, we highlight those autonomous systems, and discuss issues in validating these systems. We then look to future demands on validating autonomous systems for space, identify promising technologies and open issues.