NASA Links Systems Engineering and Fault Management to Boost Spacecraft Autonomy
A new framework combining MBSE models with fault management aims to reduce ground control reliance for deep-space missions.
NASA is integrating Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with fault management (FM) to enable more autonomous space mission operations. This strategic shift allows spacecraft to detect and compensate for critical faults without immediate human intervention, a capability essential for the survival of probes operating in the furthest reaches of the solar system.
To develop these capabilities, NASA awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to Qualtech Systems Inc. (QSI). The resulting approach was demonstrated through the HelioSwarm mission, where engineers utilized SysML v2 models to automatically generate failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault trees. This integration ensures that the system's design and its failure-handling logic are derived from a single, consistent model, eliminating the discrepancies that often plague manual documentation.
The Shift to Model-Based Autonomy
Traditionally, fault management and systems engineering have operated as separate workflows, often relying on static documents that are difficult to update as a mission evolves. By moving to an MBSE-driven approach, NASA creates a digital thread that links high-level system architecture directly to fault-detection logic. This allows for more rigorous verification of how a spacecraft will react to unforeseen anomalies before the hardware ever leaves the ground, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure during flight.
Why Autonomy is Critical
Increasing autonomy is a necessity for the exploration of the outer solar system. As missions push further into deep space, the distance between Earth and the spacecraft creates significant communication delays, making real-time human intervention impossible during a crisis. A spacecraft that can autonomously diagnose a failure and execute a recovery sequence can save a mission from total loss when ground control is minutes or hours away.
Path to Deployment
The practical application of this research is already moving toward operational use. The developed toolset, known as TEAMS, has been baselined for Vehicle Systems Management functions on NASA's Gateway project. As the Gateway serves as a critical hub for lunar exploration and a stepping stone to Mars, the implementation of TEAMS represents a significant step in scaling autonomous fault management for the next generation of human spaceflight, ensuring that the infrastructure supporting astronauts is as resilient as possible.