Model-based Fault Diagnosis for Ground and Propulsion Systems

The Model-based Off-Nominal State Identification and Detection (MONSID) system provides robust and reliable fault management capabilities. The MONSID technology is composed of a diagnostic engine and system specific models. MONISD is a relatively compact software package because it relies only on modeling nominal behavior; fault models are not needed. The technique identifies the hardware element that is the cause of the detected fault thereby enabling more targeted recovery/repair response. MONSID supports autonomous operations technology requirements to reduce operations and maintenance costs and minimizes human in the loop intervention. Applied to propellant management and test facilities, the MONSID technology can provide a critical component for autonomous health management of these systems. MONSID provides an evolutionary approach to full onboard autonomy as it can first be implemented and tested in ground-based systems and then migrated to off-world remote operations. Autonomous fault management will be crucial to NASA mission success particularly during critical times where the situation changes rapidly and unpredictably with no opportunity for operator support.

MONSID propellant management models could be used at NASA KSC’s cryogenic test lab and SSC’s high-pressure gas facility. Propellant management monitoring using MONSID can support current and future programs, providing autonomous fault detection and identification at on the ground, in-flight, and in I&T, as well as in training and recovery operations. It is applicable to a broad range of NASA operational and test facilities as well as missions including Artemis, Gateway, Orion, SLS, from near-Earth to off-world, risk-adverse, and experimental.

This technology is well suited for systems with modular HW/SW architectures. These new architectures will require updated model-based autonomy-enabling approaches to support them. It improves situational awareness in AFRL/DoD missions, and can be leveraged by large and small prime contractors, FFRDCs/UARCs, and non-US aerospace organizations.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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