Verus Research has won a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to support the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate.  The $750,000, 2-year effort builds on prior Verus Research work and focuses on spacecraft fault detection, identification, and causation using machine learning.  This new program will seek to develop the ability for a spacecraft to self-diagnose the root causes of on-board anomalies and develop potential mitigation paths.

To meet this need, Verus Research will deliver AFMaR, (Autonomous Fault Monitoring and Recovery) software that can be installed on board a spacecraft and connected to the vehicle’s telemetry systems to process faults and identify recovery strategies.  AFMaR will increase spacecraft resilience and responsiveness while reducing the manpower required for mission operations and monitoring.  It is also structured to provide “trusted autonomy,” enabling independent spacecraft action that is reliably conducted in a safe manner.