Structural health monitoring: an enabler for responsive satellites

The Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV) is developing Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies in support of the Department of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) initiative. Such technologies will significantly reduce the amount of time and effort required to assess a satellite's structural surety. Although SHM development efforts abound, ORS drives unique requirements on the development of these SHM systems. This paper describes several technology development efforts, aimed at solving those technical issues unique to an ORS-focused SHM system, as well as how the SHM system could be implemented within the structural verification process of a Responsive satellite.