A Flexible Fault Management Architecture for Cluster Flight

The proposed FM architecture has the potential to significantly improve the robustness and survivability of missions that could not be performed with a single monolithic spacecraft, as well as those involving cooperative rendezvous and docking. Thus, the proposed system could benefit missions as basic as docking with the ISS or commercial space stations or as advanced as missions where small spacecraft work collaboratively to create sparse arrays, synthetic apertures, or other distributed sensor networks. Other applications include spacecraft that are used to assemble large space structures, like a manned mission where the Orion MPCV docks with another Orion MPCV or other spacecraft like the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle or Deep Space Habitat. Other commercial crew platforms that could utilize this technology are SpaceX's Dragon, Boeing's CST-100, and Sierra Nevada's Dreamchaser. Finally, the technology stands to benefit cooperative satellite servicing missions as well as UAV and Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) missions.

The technologies developed in this project will be integrated into our work for DARPA's System F6 project. It can also be used to support other DoD or commercial multi-satellite missions that involve cluster flight, orbital rendezvous or even docking. It is anticipated that in a few years commercial manned spacecraft will dock with the ISS or other commercial space stations. Commercial systems are especially sensitive to size, weight, power, and cost and will benefit from the proposed FM enhancements when building rendezvous capable vehicles at any scale. As mentioned previously, the applications of the proposed FM enhancements are not limited to space. Non-space applications include flocks or formations of UAVs, groups of marine vessels, and autonomous transportation vehicles. Any cluster of vehicles with both GPS/CDGPS navigation and relative measurements available is a potential target for commercialization. More »