Research Projects

With increase in launch frequency, a large number of spacecraft with varying configurations, orbital slots, payloads, applications have to be maintained in peak operating conditions with very low or nil downtime for the duration of their useful mission lifetimes (ranging from months to decades). This trend demands a highdegree of automation of on-board and ground operations, and this is where use of techniques from artificial intelligence for spacecraft health monitoring and anomaly handling is really beneficial. The applications of AI include expert systems, Neural Networks (NN), Fuzzy Logics (FL), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Genetic Algorithms, robotics and machine learning. Spacecraft operations broadly classify into two categories namely Health Monitoring and Anomaly Management and Planning and Execution of routine planned activities. Mission Operations automation at MDG/URSC Virtual satellite operation is planned to optimise the utilization of the ground segment resources, viz. infrastructure and human. Towards this, an expert system based Health Monitoring and Anomaly Management is being developed. The automation of Planning and Execution of routine operations is also in progress.