Spacecraft Autonomy Issijes: I’resicnt and Future

Operating robotic scientific spacecraft is a complex process. To reduce operating costs and risks, there has been much discussion of the requirements for automating spacecraft operations as well as automating the spacecraft themselves. It is not always easy to determine which features to automate in space, which ones to automate on the ground, and which functions would best remain in human hands. Higher-capability commercial and military satellites will also have technology needs of their own, and more synergy between these developments and the development of scientific satellites will also be a future trend. This paper discusses the driving forces behind spacecraft automation, and identifies relevant technology areas and needs.