Spacecraft health monitoring and management systems

Spacecraft health monitoring and management systems (also referred to as FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery) systems)) are addressed since the very beginning of any space mission design and play a relevant role in the definition of their reliability, availability and safety objectives. Their primary purposes are the safety of spacecraft/mission life and the improvement of its service availability. In this paper current technical and programmatic FDIR strategies are presented along with their strong connection with the wider concept of on-board autonomy, which is becoming the key-point in the design of new-generation spacecrafts. Recent projects developed at OHB System AG have brought to light some issues in the current FDIR system design approaches. These findings pave the way for innovative solutions, which can support and not rule out conventional industrial practices.