Modeling and Analyzing Distributed Autonomy for Spaceflight Teams

Abstract

This paper addresses the authors’ ongoing work to provide a simulation-based human factors approach to studying autonomy in spaceflight mission operations. Despite increasing challenges for coordination and effective integration among mission control centers, spaceflight crews, and robotic assistants, understanding of dynamic autonomy requirements for mission profiles is still limited. In addition, increasing capabilities of information and computing technologies add additional opportunities for coordination among distributed experts working with distributed vehicles and crews. This paper builds on work presented at prior ICES and other conferences and describes a developing concept of distributed, dynamically operational measures of autonomy and functional capability in spaceflight mission operations.