Predictive valve control system

A spacecraft comprising:

• a spacecraft frame;
• a landing system coupled to the spacecraft frame and including a plurality of inflatable bags configured to reduce impact on the spacecraft frame during landing, each of the inflatable bags having a respective pressure sensor and a respective inflation valve, wherein each of the inflation valves is controllable electrically and has a behavior profile predictive of an amount of current used by the valve when operated;
• and
• a valve controller having a pressure management circuit configured to receive pressure information from the pressure sensors and to automatically maintain a respective selected pressure in each of the inflatable bags by issuing commands to operate the inflation valves;
• wherein the valve controller further includes an electrical current management circuit configured to:
• predict, based on the valve behavior profiles, what effect each of the commands issued by the pressure management circuit would have on a total current usage, when executed, and
• automatically prevent any command that would cause the total current usage to exceed a maximum allowable current;
• wherein the electrical current management circuit operates faster than the pressure management circuit.

A method for controlling pressure without exceeding a maximum allowable electrical current, the method comprising:

• controlling a plurality of inflation valves coupled to a plurality of respective inflatable objects using a valve controller, wherein each of the inflatable objects has a respective pressure sensor and each of the inflation valves has a behavior profile predictive of an amount of current used by the valve when operated;
• receiving, at a pressure management circuit of the valve controller, pressure information from the pressure sensors;
• automatically maintaining a respective selected pressure in each of the inflatable objects by issuing commands, using the pressure management circuit, to operate the inflation valves;
• predicting, using an electrical current management circuit and based on the valve behavior profiles, what effect each of the commands issued by the pressure management circuit would have on a total current usage, when executed;
• and automatically preventing, using the electrical current management circuit, any command that would cause the total current usage to exceed a maximum allowable current wherein the electrical current management circuit operates at a clock speed that is at least an order of magnitude faster than the pressure management circuit.