Oversubscribed Mission Scheduler Conflict Resolution System

The allocation and scheduling of limited communication assets to an increasing number of satellites and other spacecraft remains a complex and challenging problem. Feasible schedules that address mission requirements over the short, medium and long term are inherently faced with the need to resolve conflicts when multiple missions contend for the same time windows of opportunity. This proposal is for an oversubscribed mission scheduler conflict resolution system that will rapidly provide feasible schedules using innovative boolean satisfiability methods and then leverage software agent personas to minimize or eliminate conflicts in scheduling. Agents will free up valuable human resources in the de-conflict loop, using an ask-offer process to negotiate future timeslots based on a deferred value function. Phase 1 will demonstrate the feasibility of applying mature SAT solver process to the rapid generation of feasible schedules and also demonstrate the potential for the application of semi-autonomous belief-desire-intent (BDI) agents to conflict resolution and user interface support. Phase 2 will evolve proof-of-concept prototypes into fully functional systems.

Other government agencies such as the Air Force also resolve mission schedule conflicts through manual intervention and human negotiation. Semi-autonomous agents can facilitate this process. Scheduling of medical procedures and processes (for instance surgical oncology) that depend on the same small set of limited resources can result in conflicts that can be addressed through agent negotiation. Oversubscribed resources at conferences or similar events can be allocated according to negotiations between agents that represent participants. Agents such as the ones proposed for this project could be applied to first responder or other emergency scenarios in a way that takes the pressure off scarce human resources.

Demonstrate the practical value of modeling complex scheduling problems using SAT. Significantly reduce or eliminate post-schedule conflict resolution that takes place between mission and support personnel in the NASA Ground, Space or Deep Space Network. Streamline and simplify the high level specification of mission objectives and the presentation of the current state of a schedule through phases of conflict resolution.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.