Spacecraft 2016 - International Workshop on "Spacecraft Autonomy"

Space exploration mission requires very challenging autonomous reaction capabilities, as the spacecraft have to appropriately react to the partially unknown environment in time critical situations, while direct human interaction is impossible due to significant signal propagation delays related to the huge distances. In particular interplanetary exploration missions are here especially demanding. Today also distributed, networked, small satellites for telecommunication and Earth observation applications promise a paradigm shift versus the traditional multi-functional big spacecraft and could be benefiting from self-aware computing capabilities.
Focusing on aerospace applications, the workshop will cover the aspects of the dynamics, navigation, guidance and control in astronautics and aeronautics. Autonomous, intelligent, unmanned and networked technologies are key areas of rapidly evolving fields in aerospace systems. Particularly suited are cooperative/distributed control for multiple space vehicles including formation flight. Space exploration of planets, comets, asteroids, etc., is a typical application field of spacecraft autonomy. Recent progresses of electronic technologies, which have provided powerful microprocessors and sensors including cameras and GPS receivers, provide the background to implement autonomous reaction capabilities in the framework of self-aware computing. Contributions addressing forthcoming trends, perspectives and future research projects are welcome, as well as current projects and technologies.
Topics
Autonomy and self-aware computing for space missions
Spacecraft dynamics, control, guidance and navigation
Micro- and nano-satellites
Space robotics, including rovers
Space exploration
Guidance, control and estimation theory
Control algorithms implementation
Avionics and on-board equipments
Flight dynamics identification
Formation flying
Cooperative/distributed guidance and control
Decision making and autonomy
Mission control and operations