Future Autonomous and Automated Systems Testbed

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Trust is the greatest obstacle to implementing greater autonomy and automation (A&A) in the human spaceflight program. The Future Autonomous and Automated Systems Testbed (FAAST) is an R/C helicopter-based system being developed by the Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division (EG) as a low-cost, low-risk, hands-on way for customers (program management, crew, and operators) to become familiar with and build trust in A&A systems, and as a platform for engineers to quickly and cheaply test A&A architectures and algorithms. An early goal of this project is the development of an autonomous GN&C system, a key component of which is access to suitable sensor hardware. In this project we requested funds to procure navigation sensors (e.g. MEMS IMU, GPS receiver, LIDAR, etc.) in support of this effort. It is also envisioned as a platform for building trust in A&A systems among key stakeholders such as program/project management, crew members, and operators. We researched and procured navigation sensors (e.g. MEMS IMU, GPS receiver, LIDAR, etc.) and integrated them into the helicopter platform, with the objective of performance suitable for autonomous waypoint navigation. The intended product of this activity is the development of a prototype navigation system that will form the navigation backbone of FAAST. Upon completion of this project's work, FAAST will have a functioning navigation system suitable for enabling future A&A research objectives, including autonomous rendezvous and docking, and autonomous take-off and landing.

Benefits

Greater autonomy and automation in human spaceflight will have many benefits to NASA and JSC, including (1) reductions in operations costs by improving onboard decision-making capability and situational awareness, thereby reducing the dependence on ground controllers, systems, and associated training, (2) enabling reductions in lifecycle costs by improving configuration flexibility, (3) increasing the time devoted to science objectives by reducing astronaut workload, and (4) enabling the Agency goal of conducting Exploration missions beyond LEO where communication lag is a concern.

Details

Technology area	GN&C > Navigation Technologies > Onboard Navigation Algorithms
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JSC CIF (JSC CIF)
Lead organization	Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Start date	2012-05-01
End date	2012-08-01

How to get involved

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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