Cubesat Autonomicity: A Paradigm Shift in Cubesat Autonomicity

This paper presents an autonomic (selfmanaging)
model, which can be used in cubesat
(nano satellite) development to assist in designing
cubesats that are Self-Configuring, Self-Healing,
Self-Optimizing and Self-Protecting – (Self-
CHOP). In this paper we explore – in-depth the
four autonomic characteristics Self-CHOP from
which cubesat space missions will benefit in terms
of mission cost reduction, data integrity, spacecraft
health status, and above all, the reduction of space
debris (junk). Self-Configuring (the dynamic autosystem
configuration) defines self-setup based on
current internal and external environmental factors;
it applies predefined rules of self-preservation to
alter the spacecraft configuration parameters
depending on the Cubesat Autonomic Capability
Model level the spacecraft implements.
Implementing self-optimising is the performance
assessment of the cubesat with regards to its
mission goals; it recalibrates its instruments based
on current orbital factors and properties for optimal
function. The increase in space debris has
increased the probability of collisions between
natural space debris and man-made satellites or
satellite-to-satellite crashes. Self-protection is the
proposed solution to circumvent such collisions
which would otherwise cause more space debris
(Kessler Syndrome). Some faults experienced by
on-board instruments (sensors) can be fixed by the
autonomic manager responsible for the spacecraft
welfare. Self-healing is implemented to solve
software faults and other non-mechanical faults. It
requires a spacecraft that is self-aware and has
normal operation parameters pre-defined which are
used to detect sensor operations outside the normal
range. In this paper we show that self-managing
spacecraft means less man-mission ratios therefore
missions are cheaper to run, and Self-CHOP
increases the number of successful missions.