Implementing natural systems-inspired design in systems engineering for Mars surface operations

Abstract

Natural systems-inspired design (NID) is the transfer of design solutions from biology and other natural sciences to the creation of human-engineered products. Despite the promise of improvements in cost, performance, and reliability, there has been little application of NID to spacecraft engineering. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Robotic Spacecraft Technical Discipline Team is investigating NID solutions for the systems engineering and technology development processes. NID falls into two broad categories: 1) structural- and 2) process-inspired solutions. For structural NID, fiber composites resembling wood and bone micro-architecture have had a major impact on aerospace materials development. However for such products there is no formal, organized standard under which to comprehensively survey the published knowledge base in life sciences and other disciplines for NID solutions, extract those concepts, and insert them methodically into the design cycle of engineered products. Some progress has been made employing genetic algorithms, which are process-oriented biological NID solutions employing simulations of mutation, reproduction, and natural selection to produce engineered products. This approach has produced one of the few solid examples of spaceflight-proven NID hardware, the Ames Evolved Antenna, flown on board the ST-5 and LADEE missions. The lack of a systematic process for incorporating NID solutions into the systems engineering cycle is standing in the way of broadly applying this new approach for achieving innovative improvements for spacecraft, for example for Mars surface operations. The NASA Mars program presents a compelling frontier for NID solutions, particularly for aerial and surface systems where low mass and power consumption, high reliability and survivability, and flexibility of function in a hostile environment are critical. NID concepts for robotic Mars exploration platforms carrying in-situ instruments for the exploration of the atmosphere and the surface and sub-surface of Mars described herein represent only the beginning of what can be possible with NID. Success in NID design for space engineering will require moving beyond simply copying nature to produce a paradigm-shifting change of focus, which will require including NID in the system engineering process and the technology strategies that support it. We recommend three major thrusts to enable this to happen: (1) Ready access by engineering teams to the those knowledgeable about natural systems and technology development, (2) Intelligent search tools to tap natural sciences databases, and (3) Incremental organizational change that encourages the consideration of natural systems from operations concept through the entire mission life-cycle.