Autonomic control architecture for avionics software of unmanned space vehicles

Technology for Unmanned Space Vehicles (USVs) has inevitably evolved. Current USVs require continuous assurance of effective adaptation to unpredictable internal/external changes along with efficient management of resources. An attractive inspiration to tackle this issue is that provided by the physiology of living organisms to adapt with a vital goal of surviving. The adaptation mechanism for the avionics software control architecture of USVs proposed is inspired by the physiological functions performed by single/multi-operational combination of nervous system reflexes. Such an approach is able to support autonomic management and persistent sustainment in order to make USVs more viable and stable. This paper presents aspects on how to endow USVs with artificial reflexes by means of applying physiological principles of self-regulation to the control architecture for avionics software of USVs so that resilience and persistence can be supported. The architectural approach is implemented by means of a formal language for formal specification of the above physiologically-inspired reflexes. Realization results from a case study based on orbiters as USVs for the BepiColombo Mission to Mercury are also presented.