The Feasibility of Applying Plug-and-Play Concepts to Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems to Meet the Challenges of Future Responsive Missions

In this paper, a methodology for dramatically reducing the time required to build a complex system based on the self-organization of self-describing components is presented. In this “plug-and-play” approach, component services are exposed for use through mechanisms similar to those in a “publish-subscribe” framework. The associated framework provides convenient mechanisms for organizing application domains (such as guidance, navigation, and control) along a hierarchy of components. The hierarchy of components, which are themselves self-descriptive, is non-unique but enforced by convention and discipline. This paper describes the motivations for this work and elements of its current implementation as a disruptive technology.

Graven, P., L. J. Hansen, D. Fogel and J. Lyke. 7th International ESA Conference on Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems. Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. June 2–5, 2008.