On-board fault management using modeling techniques

An expert system (ES) has been developed to perform spacecraft fault management autonomously, allowing the spacecraft to remain operational over an extended period. The system uses model-based reasoning and operates in a closed loop with a simulated spacecraft. The ES interacts with the spacecraft, performing fault management functions on power subsystem components using a technique known as constraint suspension. This technique isolates failures by reasoning from the structure and behavior of the system without knowledge of how these failures manifest themselves