Spacecraft Autonomous Fault Evaluation and Management (SAFEM)

SAFEM will provide essential technology that enables deep-space mission crews to more effectively handle off-nominal conditions. In deep-space missions, round-trip communication time delay makes it impossible to close the loop with Earth mission control prior to taking critical actions. Even a small number of round-trip communications necessary for Earth-based mission control to provide guidance can exceed failure time to criticality.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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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