Expert System Based Telemetry Analysis for Real-Time Monitoring and Control of Complex Spacecraft

Abstract

A project to provide expert system based suppport for control and monitoring of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) had been underway at Goddard Space Flight Center since 1987. The work is being done for NASA Goddard by Lockheed Missles and Space Company under the Hubble Space Telescope Mission Operational Contract. The HST will downlink over 6000 individual parameters in any of 17 separate formats. Data rates vary from 500 bps to 32 kbps. The project's goal is to provide an expert system based module at each of the seven operator workstations in the Mission operations Room. The modules will serve as intelligent assistants to the human operators, providing real-time interpretation of the incoming telemetry to verify execution of the mission schedule, detect anomalies, and assist in normal or contingency real-time commanding of the spacecraft.