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more ecient. It would also lower the number of face-to-face meetings re-
quired by the staff and allow them to work on the project at times convenient
to their schedule. In a similar manner, advanced data fusion, analysis, and
visualization packages can assist scientists in interpreting their results. Both
these technologies are currently in use and their use should be expanded.
Spacecraft sequence generation creates the series of commands necessary
to achieve the objective of the high-level mission plan. The process usually en-
craft already have a limited amount of automation in performing a similar
function. It would be a reasonably small step to move the sequence genera-
tion directly into the spacecraft. This would allow the spacecraft to control
its activities and would lower the human stang requirements.
Between science planning and sequence generation is the mission planning
function. This is an area ripe for automation. Mission planning groups al-
ready use planning and scheduling software to deal with the more detailed
and labor-intensive tasks. By augmenting the existing software, it would be
possible to design a system that is completely automated for normal operating
conditions, eventually lowering the need for human labor for mission planning.
The mission planning system would initially be run on ground-based systems
to facilitate monitoring and problem resolution. Figure
7.11
shows this con-
figuration. While not shown in the figure, a human mission manager would
probably monitor the mission planning system and would, if necessary, resolve
problems.
Plan
Science
Planning
Data
Analysis
Act
(Communicate)
Science Plan
Spacecraft
Telemetry
Plan
Mission
Planning
Platform
Analysis
Act
(Communicate)
Mission Plan
Spacecraft
Telemetry
Sequence
Generation
Plan
Steps
Spacecraft
Monitor
Spacecraft
Perform
Steps
Fig. 7.11.
Cooperative autonomy view of spacecraft mission control
