Robust Decision Tool for Persistent Space Self Defense Systems

ABSTRACT: Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) proposes to apply a game theoretic approach to design a robust decision making tool for self defense space systems that integrates realistic system models, distributed sensor management, advanced estimation, and tracking techniques. Our approach uses innovative game models to track space objects, analyze their orbits, and provide decision tools for the space surveillance systems with self-defense capabilities. Space systems are a vital component of modern military networks due to the rapidly increased requirements on space situation awareness. A space system should be able to monitor satellites, UAVs, and other aerial objects, and detect adversary behavior. However, current system designs with security considerations for such a system are still very limited. We will incorporate pursuit-evasion game based threat modeling and analysis, active learning of deceptive behavior, nonlinear filters, cooperative sensing for persistent space object tracking by using comprehensive and realistic models of space platforms and service oriented architectures. We will also provide advanced self defense mechanisms based on the levels of threat behavior. Our constructive and computationally efficient approach will support space situational awareness in face of potential adversaries and allow autonomous defense systems to adapt to hostile and uncertain environments with high reliability and robustness. BENEFIT: We have identified the Air Force Space Networks, Air Force Satellite Control Networks and Airborne Networks as the initial application/primary market for this technology. The proposed game theoretic approach enables holistic understanding of how to efficiently utilize the limited observers in a space network to track multiple attackers. Such insights will benefit various applications including space situational awareness, resource allocation, and network adaptation. The proposed solution has tremendous potential in military applications regarding space and airborne networks, such as JSF, FCS, WGS, TSAT, NASA SCaN, SPAWAR, MILSATCOM, UFO, and SBIRS. As a whole, the proposed effort has great potential to facilitate sensor management and object tracking in space networks. Such insights are directly beneficial to various satellite systems with respect to resource allocation and ensuring tracking requirements in terms of accuracy, delay, energy, and overhead. For the proposed game-theoretic design framework with robust decision tools, there exist a variety of commercial applications including satellite communications, GPS, anti-jam, global coverage tracking/data acquisition services, wireless networks, and vehicle networks. Such a large market need will help attract a great amount of potential investment.