OVERVIEW:
On-orbit satellite servicing and active debris removal missions require trusted autonomy solutions to operate at scale.
Can we push on-orbit servicing to take on new challenges across:
- navigation
- orbit matching/approach
- rendezvous & proximity operations
- inspection
- grasping/docking/capture
- servicing/detailed inspection
- repositioning/relocation
- release/departure
- on-orbit refueling
- assembly of complex objects
- rescue of damaged or malfunctioning vehicles
- disposal of debris or dead vehicles
For each of these use cases, unforeseen anomalies make automation difficult. So here are the questions we’re asking in this area:
- How can we verify that autonomous servicing procedures are safe to use?
- What are the limits to autonomous servicing operations?
- Can human operators trust autonomous algorithms to safely perform servicing missions?
- How can persons and non-person entities (algorithms on other spacecraft) establish, maintain, and enhance mutual trust?