D-SHIELD: DISTRIBUTED SPACECRAFT WITH HEURISTIC INTELLIGENCE TO ENABLE LOGISTICAL DECISIONS

Abstract

D-SHIELD is a suite of scalable software tools that helps schedule payload operations of a large constellation, with multiple payloads per and across spacecraft, such that the collection of observational data and their downlink, constrained by the constellation constraints (orbital mechanics), resources (e.g., power) and subsystems (e.g., attitude control), results in maximum science value for a selected use case. Constellation topology, spacecraft and ground network characteristics can be imported from design tools or existing constellations and can serve as elements of an operations design tool. D-SHIELD will include a science simulator to inform the scheduler of the predictive value of observations or operational decisions. Autonomous, realtime re-scheduling based on past observations needs improved data assimilation methods within the simulator.