Using a Robot Control Architecture to Automate Space Shuttle Operations

This paper describes preliminary results from using an AI robot control software architecture known as T as the software framework for a procedure track ing system for the space shuttle Remote Manipula tor System RMS The system called TPT is de signed to track the expected steps of the crew as they carry out RMS operations detecting malfunctions in the RMS system from failures or improper con gu rations as well as improper or incomplete procedures by the crew Scheduled for a ground demonstration in February and a test ight the following fall TPT was employed this past fall to track the RMS checkout procedures on a space shuttle mission It successfully carried out its task because the reactive nature of the architecture allowed it to stay synchro nized with the procedures even in the face of intermit tent loss of telemetry and unexpected crew actions