Innovative fault detection, isolation and recovery on-board spacecraft: Study and implementation using cognitive automation

Fault detection and diagnosis is a crucial aspect in spacecraft operations and on-board software with respect to safety, reliability and performance. The success of a space mission depends on the adequate and timely system reaction to unexpected environmental changes and fault or failure of components or subsystems. Within this paper, case studies of current spacecraft applications are categorized with respect to the level of autonomy that is reached. The potential of further concepts that were not yet studied in the context of spacecraft fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR), but in industrial and aerospace applications are examined. As a result, the cognitive automation approach, developed by the Institute of Flight Systems of the Bundeswehr University München, is identified as highly promising technology for enhancing spacecraft on-board autonomy: Context sensitive reactions in case of unexpected failure are enabled by knowledge about the current system and environmental state, system operational capabilities and the impact of faults and recovery actions on the system and system performance. A study that applies the cognitive automation concept to the power subsystem of an interplanetary spacecraft is proposed.