Goals for Air Force Autonomous Spacecraft.

Goals are defined for autonomous Air Force spacecraft to be launched in the late 1980s. This autonomous capability is required to increase mission readiness by enhancing survivability against on-board failures and hostile acts, and by reducing spacecraft dependence on ground stations for up to six months. Two types of goals are defined policy goals and implementation goals. Policy goals are focused toward attainment of the autonomous capability across all spacecraft types and mission classes. Implementation goals, formulated in response to the policy goals, assume a functional configuration constrained by technology and resources. Functional areas addressed are systems including thermal control and validation electrical power and pyrotechnics attitude, translation and pointing control data processing and payload, telemetry, tracking and command navigation and propulsion.