Managing space system anomalies using first principles reasoning

This paper discusses the development of a theory of anomaly management that uses fundamental models of a system's structure, behavior, and intended use to support the detection of symptoms, the computation of possible diagnoses, and the generation of resolution actions. A software-based reasoning system based on this theory was implemented and applied to the configuration control of a space system consisting of an on-orbit satellite and a geographically distributed network of ground communication and control stations. This system was found to promote a formal and systematic analysis of possibilities when managing configuration anomalies in the Sapphire space system. This approach can be extended to more complex systems through future optimization of the processing implementation and through incorporation of other innovations such as dynamic and hierarchical modelling