Spacehow

Spacehow is a conceptual framework used in space operations to integrate spatial analysis with procedural guidance for mission planning and execution. It treats space as a multidimensional domain where location, geometry, and time interact to support decision making and automated planning. The framework seeks to align geographic information concepts with spacecraft routing, surface navigation, and resource mapping, emphasizing how actions unfold across space and time rather than focusing on static positions alone.

Etymology and origins: The term spacehow is a portmanteau of space and how, intended to emphasize methods and procedures for operating in space. It emerged in academic and industry discussions in the early 2010s as researchers sought to formalize the translation of geographic information science into extraterrestrial contexts.

Core components: Spacehow combines data fusion from orbital maps, topographic and hazard models, and sensor feeds; spatial reasoning algorithms; temporal planning that accounts for orbital dynamics and communication delays; and operator-centered interfaces, including augmented reality dashboards and simulators that support the human-in-the-loop.

Applications: The approach informs mission design and surface navigation for rovers and landers, resource prospecting on the Moon or asteroids, and space traffic management. It supports scenario testing, risk assessment, and contingency planning by providing a coherent framework to reason about where things are, when they happen, and what actions are appropriate.

Evaluation and limitations: Spacehow offers improved situational awareness and decision support, but its effectiveness depends on data quality and model fidelity. Challenges include handling uncertainty, communication latency, validator requirements for safety-critical systems, and the interpretability of automated plans for operators.

See also space situational awareness, geographic information systems, robotics, and autonomous systems.