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Autonomous behavioural algorithm for space applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

G. Radice  and
C. R. McInnes
G. Radice
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
C. R. McInnes
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach in the concept and implementation of autonomy for autonomous spacecraft. The one true ‘artificial agent’ approach to autonomy requires the spacecraft to interact in a direct manner with the environment through the use of sensors and actuators. Rather than using complex world models, the spacecraft is allowed to exploit the dynamics of its environment for cues as to appropriate actions to take to achieve its mission goals. The particular artificial agent implementation used here has been inspired by studies of biological systems. The so-called ‘cue-deficit’ action selection algorithm considers the spacecraft to be a non-linear dynamical system with a number of observable states. Using optimal control theory a set of rules is derived which determine which of a finite repertoire of behaviours the spacecraft will perform. A simple model of a single imaging spacecraft in low polar Earth orbit is used to demonstrate the algorithm.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 107 , Issue 1074: University of Glasgow 50th year anniversary special , August 2003 , pp. 521 - 527
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2003 

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