Flash LIDAR Systems for Hazard Detection, Surface Navigation and Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking

Background: Three dimensional flash LIDAR is an enabling technology for Lunar Science, Exploration and Resource Prospecting. For in space and on orbit rendezvous, the powerful flash LIDAR LASER pulse can be used to acquire and range targets from a distance of up to 10-20 km. For docking applications, flash LIDAR provides real-time three dimensional video of the target spacecraft under any lighting conditions. This provides six degree of freedom pose as well as velocity and spin rate data. Inclusion of a flash LIDAR system also allows for redundant video guidance capabilities. Landing applications for flash LIDAR include use as a supplement or replacement to conventional RADAR altimeters, providing ranging and velocimetry from 1020 km above the surface. Additonally, flash LIDAR systems are well suited for use in hazard detection, offering three dimensional object and terrain mapping. The real-time nature of the system provides data at 10 to 100 times the rate of conventional scanning systems, enabling active hazard avoidance navigation. Therefore, flash LIDAR offers higher spatial resolution per unit time, allowing more detailed terrain information. Lastly, flash LIDAR systems offer an attractive solution for surface navigation and terrain mapping. These systems have the advantage that they may be used successfully under any lighting conditions – as a means to acquire a 3D topographic site survey, or as a sensor for real-time autonomous rover navigation and hazard detection. Design Heritage: Ball Aerospace has developed a highly capable, mature, multi-mission 3D flash LIDAR system for Lunar Exploration and other space-based applications. The unit leverages technology from our proven long-life space-based LASER systems. The baseline LASER, optics and key electronics are all currently in operation on a classified space mission. The LASER itself draws directly from our development of the associated LIDAR LASER aboard the NASA CALIPSO mission.