Autonomy in Space Exploration: Current Capabilities and Future Challenges

Deep space exploration requires vehicles with appropriate autonomous capabilities. In order to accomplish their missions, spacecraft need to respond to potential hazards while seeking to expand human knowledge of deep space. This paper provides an overview of the role of autonomy for space exploration. First, we explore the range of autonomous behavior that is useful in space exploration. Second, three core requirements are defined for autonomous space systems. Fourth, we identify the decision-making capabilities that will ensure the effectiveness and safety of autonomous systems. Fifth, we describe architectures for integrating capabilities into an autonomous system. Finally, we discuss the challenges that are faced currently in developing and deploying autonomy technologies for space.