IMA Readiness for Autonomous Robotic Systems in Extraterrestrial Surface Exploration Missions

Abstract

Recent developments in hardware readiness are closing the technological gaps which limited the implementation of robotic autonomy in extraterrestrial surface exploration missions. Innovative applications of wireless technology and avionics architectural principles drawn from the Orion crew module, to name one example, provide solutions for several of these gaps. If future space exploration missions are to grow significantly more complex, greater levels of autonomy must be afforded to robotic systems. This paper describes how Orion’s avionics architecture attributes can be leveraged to implement an independent, deterministic “Safety” partition” that prevents non-deterministic autonomous applications from issuing unsafe commands. The certification issues endemic to having autonomous applications operating alongside humans is also addressed. Robust avionic architectures by themselves are not sufficient, requiring aggressive innovations in size, weight and power, to allow the avionics hardware infrastructure to meet stringent robotic mission requirements. The emerging next generation of integrated modular avionics addresses this challenge with smaller, but very capable platforms. Another technology gap being addressed through the use of avionics architectural principles and deterministic wireless technology is the coordination of multiple autonomous systems. As a proof-ofconcept, Honeywell has developed various algorithms and wireless hardware that lead to a deterministic, fault tolerant, reliable wireless backplane. Honeywell has developed a laboratory facility based upon the Simulation & Modeling for Acquisition, Requirements and Training (SMART) concepts. Through this SMARTlabTM facility multi-robot collaboration can be achieved via interaction of real and simulated robots, rather than requiring the presence of several costly, physical robots. By filling technology gaps associated with space based autonomous systems, recent advances in wireless and simulation technology, along with Orion architectural principles, provide the means for decreasing operational costs and simplifying problems associated with autonomous systems, including those requiring the collaborative work of multiple robotic assets.