Structural Health Monitoring as an Enabler for Responsive Satellites: An Update

The Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RVSV) is developing Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies in support of the Responsive Space (RS) initiative with plans for future capabilities on orbit to assist in overall awareness. Such technologies will significantly reduce the amount of time and effort required to assess a satellite’s structural surety without increasing system level risk associated with changed testing. Furthermore, successful implementation of multifunctional sensor capabilities may lead to savings in size, weight, and power (SWAP) allowing more options for technical performance. Although SHM development efforts abound, RS drives unique requirements on the development of these SHM systems; the biggest difference being that deviation from maintenance requires a technology driver. This paper describes several potential niches for SHM technology development efforts by AFRL, aimed at solving those technical issues unique to responsive space, as well as how an ideal SHM system could be implemented within various other processes including the potential for on-orbit performance.