What does OBDH mean in NASA

On-Board Data Handling (OBDH) is a computer system that is used to monitor, store and process data from onboard instruments or sensors. It helps improve the performance of a spacecraft by enabling it to make decisions autonomously which helps reduce response time and maintain better mission efficiency.

An OBDH system typically consists of a central processor, memory storage, communication interfaces, and various peripheral components like analog-to-digital converters and power supplies. The architecture may vary depending on the specific application of the system.

An OBDH system works by collecting data through various sensors or instrumentation systems onboard the spacecraft. This data is then processed by the central processor unit (CPU) in order to determine what kind of actions should be taken next. The CPU then sends commands to other onboard hardware systems accordingly, allowing them to adjust their operations and achieve certain goals set by operators.

An OBDH system is an essential component of any spacecraft as it enables autonomous decisions to be made with greater accuracy and speed than would be possible otherwise. By monitoring and processing data continuously, it allows for a higher level of situational awareness that can help ensure successful mission completion.

Some common applications for an OBDH system include guidance navigation and control (GNC) systems, attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), autonomous rendezvous navigation systems, trajectory optimization algorithms, sensor suite redundancy management processes, fault detection/tolerance algorithm implementations, propulsion systems operations coordination among others.

Modern OBDH systems rely on state-of-the-art technologies such as radiation hardening techniques for increased survivability in tough environments; parallel computing architectures for faster computation times; adaptive scheduling algorithms that allow tasks to complete quickly while conserving power; robust software development toolsets for increased stability; safety critical designs that prevent possible catastrophic failures from taking place; advanced communication protocols for efficient command/control over multiple subsystems aboard a spacecraft; etcetera.

It depends on the project but generally speaking most projects employ either proprietary software developed specifically for their needs or certified open source software whose integrity has been verified against security standards required by governing bodies responsible for launching payloads into space such as NASA or ESA.

An OBDH system requires regular maintenance in order to keep performing optimally throughout its lifetime due to factors like heat dissipation issues caused by operating in space vacuum or hardware component aging which produce performance degradation over time if not actively monitored and corrected when needed. Most organizations develop automated checkup routines that are triggered once known thresholds have been exceeded in order to keep things running smoothly no matter how much time passes between inspections.

: This depends largely on the type of energy source being used as well as how efficiently its preserved during usage cycles but in general they can last anywhere from days up to multiple years without requiring additional resources due to advances in low power electronics design coupled with active power conservation strategies implemented at all levels..

: While modern designs have gone through rigorous quality assurance procedures before being cleared launches there are always certain risks associated with using complex technology such as hardware malfunctioning due mission specific environmental conditions or software bugs causing undesired behavior leading potentially leading mission failure if left unattended.