From Demo to Practice: the MEXAR Path to Space Operations

This paper describes a software tool that synthesizes commands for data downlink from the on-board memory of the MARS EXPRESS spacecraft to the ground station. Some features of the tool are depicted, showing how AI techniques for planning, scheduling, domain modeling and intelligent interaction have been put into context in a challenging application environment. The system is the result of a two steps effort: a first study which produced a demonstration prototype able to capture the main aspects of the problem, and a second effort that has developed a fielded application completely integrated in operations environment. The tool is in daily use by the mission planning team of MARS EXPRESS at the European Space Agency since February 2005.