Project Title:
Dead Reckoning Optoelectronic Docking System
05.04-4561
Dead Reckoning Optoelectronic Docking System
Energy Optics Inc.
224 North Camp Street
Las Cruces
NM
88001
Ward
Steven M.
NAS9-17603
Amount:
JSC
NAS9-17283
Abstract:
The feasibility of applying existing, military and commercial optoelectronicsystems to the problem of automating space proximity operations, particularly the
hard docking of two space vehicles has been evaluated. Although no specific system
was found adequate, existing optoelectronic components and technologies such as "time
of flight" laser ranging, "tone" ranging and "optical contrast" video tracking were
applied. The two specific problems of configuring a wide field, laser tracker with
no moving parts and precision target attitude sensing at ranges under three meters
were solved by innovating new optoelectronic techniques. Feasibility of the resulting
DROID system was predicted by simulation, by performance analysis and by constructing
rudimentary hardware.
The thrust of further studies is to solidify system requirements and to design and
construct operational prototypes of the three intelligent sensors; (1) pulsed array
LIDAR, (2) CW array LIDAR and (3) CCD TV LIDAR. In addition, the DROID Main CPU
will be
configured from a commercially available microprocessor system. The resulting DROID
system prototype will be extensively tested by both the contractor and NASA to determine
operational performance and measurement resolution.