L2-SLF-DEGR
CRITICAL
ROBOTICS
Level 2 · software
Degraded Mode Management
Degraded Mode Definition and Capability Management
Graceful degradation strategies with capability reduction plans and minimum viable modes
Purpose
Manage Ark operation under reduced capability while maintaining critical functions
Context
Component of L1-SLF within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Predefined degradation levels map available resources to achievable capabilities
- ▸Mission-critical function preservation ensures core goals maintained even in degraded state
- ▸Minimum viable configuration defines lowest acceptable operational level
- ▸Recovery path planning identifies steps to return from degraded to nominal state
Typical implementations
- ▸Spacecraft safe mode hierarchy design (ESA ECSS-E-ST-70-11C)
- ▸ISS survival mode power allocation strategy
- ▸Nuclear plant technical specification limiting conditions for operation (LCOs)
- ▸Military operational readiness condition (OPCON) levels
Lunar considerations
- ▸Cryogenic preservation is absolute minimum viable function (the Ark's purpose)
- ▸Power generation failure cascades through all systems - most critical degradation scenario
- ▸Multiple simultaneous failures must be survivable for 100-year mission
- ▸Degradation modes must be tested and validated before deployment
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Manage Ark operation under reduced capability while maintaining critical functions |
Operational
| thermal range c | -173, 127 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Degradation mode definitions and transition rules
Requires
- System capability assessment data
Decomposes into
L3-SLF-DEGR-LEVEL
Degradation Level Manager
Graceful degradation level manager defining and transitioning between operational modes (full, reduced, minimal, surviva
L3-SLF-DEGR-MIN
Minimum Capability Set
Defined minimum capability set per degradation level specifying which functions remain operational at each mode.
L3-SLF-DEGR-RECOV
Degradation Recovery
Degradation recovery — reverse transition from degraded modes as repairs/replacements restore capability.
L3-SLF-DEGR-TEST
Degradation Mode Test
Periodic test exercising degraded modes confirming they will work when needed — proactive verification of failsafe paths
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Degraded Mode Management" (L2-SLF-DEGR). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L2-SLF-DEGR
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.