Using Autonomy Flight Software to Improve Science Return on Earth Observing One

Abstract

NASA’s Earth Observing One Spacecraft (EO-1) has been adapted to host an advanced suite of onboard autonomy software designed to dramatically improve the quality and timeliness of science-data returned from remote-sensing missions. The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment (ASE) enables the spacecraft to autonomously detect and respond to dynamic scientifically interesting events observed from EO-1’s low earth orbit. ASE includes software systems that perform science data analysis, mission planning, and runtime robust execution. In this article we describe the autonomy flight software, as well as innovative solutions to the challenges presented by autonomy, reliability, and limited computing resources. I.