Application Of Expert Systems In The Common Module Electrical Power System

Space Station will require a tremendous increase in autonomous power management capabilities over previous spacecraft. America's first space station, Skylab, was operational from July 1973 until March 1974. The eight kilowatt electrical power bus required fifteen ground support personnel for monitoring, analysis, and control as well as extensive periods of onboard crew involvement. In contrast, the Initial Operational Configuration (IOC) Space Station has a requirement for 75 kilowatts of primary power distribution while the growth Space Station will require 300 kilowatts. It is anticipated that the Common Modules will each have the capability of managing up to 50 kilowatts of power; 25 kilowatts to be routed to adjoining Common Modules or attached payloads and 25 kilowatts for consumption within the Common Module. Minimization of crew involvement and ground support is a critical requirement for the complex Common Module electrical power system. The goal is to make this system as autonomous as is practical. Expert systems are envisioned to play a critical role in the electrical power system in both the IOC and growth versions of Space Station.