How does the Remote Agent software work?

The Remote Agent software uses model-based reasoning algorithms, constraint-based, goal-directed planning and execution algorithms, and a fail-operational fault-protection approach. Specifically, the software includes a "planner/scheduler" that generates a set of time-based and event-based activities, known as "tokens." These tokens are delivered to an "executive," which is also a part of the software system. The executive makes decisions by taking into account knowledge of the spacecraft s state or health, constraints on spacecraft operations, and the plan provided by the planner/scheduler. The executive expands the tokens into a sequence of commands that are issued directly to the appropriate subsystems on the spacecraft. The executive then monitors responses to these commands, and reissues or modifies them if the response is not what is intended.The remote agent software's design is flexible enough to handle a variety of unexpected situations onboard a spacecraft. Because of its ...  more