A Multi-Agent Architecture Provides Smart Sensing for the NASA Sensor Web

Remote sensing missions for Earth Science contribute greatly to the understanding of the dynamics of our planet. Conventional approaches however, impede the scientific community's ability to (1) generate and refine models of complex phenomena, such as, extended weather forecasting, (2) detect and rapidly respond to critical transient events (e.g., disasters, such as hurricanes and floods). This paper describes a more effective approach based on intelligent, networked sensor webs that incorporate seamless dynamic connectivity between spacecraft, aircraft, and in situ terrestrial sensors, employs reactive and proactive strategies for improved temporal, spectral, and spatial coverage of the earth and its atmosphere, and uses enhanced dynamic decision-making for rapid responses to changing situations. MACRO, an extension of our earlier work on a multi-agent framework for heterogeneous spacecraft constellations, will provide interoperability and autonomy to achieve the needs for smart sensing in NASA's proposed sensor web. The system capability will be demonstrated via a simulated but salient disaster management scenario on an existing hardware testbed at the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center.