When a satellite stops communicating it is difficult for an operator to determine the cause or nature of the failure and to determine an appropriate response.

Failures can be caused by many events including space based sub-system failures, impaired access to communication spectrum or spacecraft loss due to a collision with space debris. This project aims to advance the concept of a small, system independent suite of sensors and processors feeding information into an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based interpreter that will identify the potential jeopardy of the platform as well as propose an appropriate response.

This work is an important precursor to the development of cognitive satellites – satellites that are “context aware” of their operating environment and are able to independently self-configure to achieve increased mission resilience in a hazardous environment.