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Summary
Overview
Benefits
Contacts
Enhanced formation flying (EFF) technology for onboard constellation and
formation control will enable a large number of spacecraft to be managed
with a minimum of ground support. The result will be a group of spacecraft
with the ability to detect errors and cooperatively agree on the appropriate
maneuver to maintain their desired positions and orientations. The EFF
technology is applicable to any mission class, be it low-Earth or Deep
Space, that desires to fly multiple satellites autonomously while gaining
the added benefit of enabling science and reducing mission operations
costs.
The EFF technology features flight software that is capable of autonomously
planning, executing, and calibrating routine spacecraft maneuvers to maintain
satellites in their respective constellations and formations.
Unique features of the EFF technology include an innovative use of
fuzzy logic decision making capabilities and natural language to resolve
multiple conflicting constraints; scripting environment to enable algorithm
updates without software changes; flight wrapper that interfaces directly
with the command and data handling subsystem for input and output; multiple
operating modes to allow execution control; generic closed-loop formation
flying control algorithms applicable to many missions; modular architecture
design that is flexible enough to control execution of multiple and varying
algorithms from several partners (JPL, Phillips Laboratory, SPA, and Microcosm)
in addition to NASA's Goddard Space
Flight Center.
Enhanced Formation Flying (EFF) technology enables many small, inexpensive spacecraft to fly in formation and gather concurrent science data in a "virtual platform". This "virtual platform" concept lowers total mission risk, increases science data collection and adds considerable flexibility to future Earth and space science missions.
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Dave Folta
EO-1 Enhanced Formation Flying
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Mail Code: 572
Phone: (301) 286-6082
Email: David.C.Folta.1@gsfc.nasa.gov
Nick Speciale
EO-1 Mission Technologist
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Mail Code: 490
Phone (301) 286-8704
Email: Nicholas.J.Speciale.1@gsfc.nasa.gov
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