Echo digitizing imaging lidar for rendezvous and docking

Martin Pfennigbauer; Bettina Möbius; Joao Pereira do Carmo

doi:10.1117/12.817403

Translator Disclaimer

30 April 2009 Echo digitizing imaging lidar for rendezvous and docking

Martin Pfennigbauer, Bettina Möbius, Joao Pereira do Carmo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7323, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIV; 732302 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817403
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We present first experimental results with an imaging LIDAR developed for rendezvous and docking of a spacecraft and a passive sample canister in the Martian orbit. The LIDAR covers a field of view of 20 by 20 degrees at a range of 5,000 m down to 1 m to cooperative targets. The frame rate is 1 Hz. In close range, the canister's position is calculated from the measurement results of the individual cooperative targets attached to its surface in known configuration. The design of the LIDAR is aimed at low weight and power consumption employing a fiber laser and a small receiver aperture resulting in a small scanning mirror. The scanning concept is based on a Gimbal-mounted scan mirror avoiding scan gaps for optimally exploiting the laser's power and minimizing the scan time. Sensor concept and technologies can be also be adapted for future Planetary or Lunar Lander applications.

Citation Download Citation

Martin Pfennigbauer, Bettina Möbius, and Joao Pereira do Carmo "Echo digitizing imaging lidar for rendezvous and docking", Proc. SPIE 7323, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIV, 732302 (30 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817403

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE