Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Ground Autonomy Evolution
Having focused on automation and autonomy in space-based systems in the
previous chapter, attention is now directed toward ground-based systems, par-
ticularly the automation of spacecraft control centers. We describe a strategy
for automating NASA ground-based systems by using a multiagent system
to support ground-based autonomous satellite-subsystem monitoring and re-
port generation supporting mission operations. Over the last several years,
work has progressed on developing prototypes of agent-based control cen-
ters [
2
,
36
,
86
,
134
]. With the prototypes has come an improved understanding
of the potentials for autonomous ground-based command and control activi-
ties that could be realized from the innovative use of agent technologies. Three
of the prototypes will be described: Agent-based Flight Operations Associate
(AFLOAT), Lights Out Ground Operations System (LOGOS), and Agent
Concept Testbed (ACT).
4.1 Agent-Based Flight Operations Associate
AFLOAT was a prototype of a multiagent system designed to provide auto-
mated expert assistance to spacecraft control center personnel. The overall
goals of AFLOAT were to prototype and evaluate the effectiveness of agent
technology in mission operations.
The technical goals of AFLOAT were to:
1.
Develop a robust and complete agent architecture
2.
Address the full spectrum of syntactic and semantic issues associated with
agent communication languages (ACLs)
3.
Develop and evaluate approaches for dealing with the dynamics of an
agent community which supports collaborative activities
4.
Understand the mechanisms associated with goal-directed activities
5.
Develop a full range of user-agent interface capabilities including the de-
velopment and use of user modeling techniques to support adaptive user
interfaces and interactions
