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Agile Science Operations: A New Approach for Primitive Exploration BodiesPrimitive body exploration missions such as potential Comet Surface Sample Return or Trojan Tour and Rendezvous would challenge traditional operations practices. Earth-based observations would provide only basic understanding before arrival and many science goals would be defined during the initial rendezvous. It could be necessary to revise trajectories and observation plans to quickly characterize the target for safe, effective observations. Detection of outgassing activity and monitoring of comet surface activity are even more time constrained, with events occurring faster than round-trip light time. "Agile science operations" address these challenges with contingency plans that recognize the intrinsic uncertainty in the operating environment and science objectives. Planning for multiple alternatives can significantly improve the time required to repair and validate spacecraft command sequences. When appropriate, time-critical decisions can be automated and shifted to the spacecraft for immediate access to instrument data. Mirrored planning systems on both sides of the light-time gap permit transfer of authority back and forth as needed. We survey relevant science objectives, identifying time bottlenecks and the techniques that could be used to speed missions' reaction to new science data. Finally, we discuss the results of a trade study simulating agile observations during flyby and comet rendezvous scenarios. These experiments quantify instrument coverage of key surface features as a function of planning turnaround time. Careful application of agile operations techniques can play a significant role in realizing the Decadal Survey plan for primitive body exploration
Document ID
20120018090
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Presentation
External Source(s)
Authors
Chien, Steve A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Thompson, David R.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Castillo-Rogez, Julie C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Doyle, Richard
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Estlin, Tara
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Mclaren, David
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
June 11, 2012
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: SpaceOps 2012
Location: Stockholm
Country: Sweden
Start Date: June 11, 2012
End Date: June 15, 2012
Sponsors: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Agile science
primitive bodies

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