Using Constraint Logic Programming to Schedule Solar Array Operations on the International Space Station
2016
Abstract
Solar arrays are the main source of energy at the International Space Station (ISS). Most of the time they automatically track the sun, but some ISS operations impose additional constraints on the arrays and the arrays may need to be parked or even locked.
These operations must be carefully planned to prevent thermal stresses, environmental contamination, and structural loads. This paper describes a novel approach to plan solar array operations on the ISS using constraint logic programming.
Opposite to previous approaches, it assumes global optimization while still taking in account safety and operation constraints.