Development of Omnidirectional Vision System for Spacecraft On-Orbit Monitoring

We have developed an OmniDirectional Vision system (ODV) using two reflecting mirrors to monitor a spacecraft on orbit. Recently, a spacecraft is loaded with many deployable structures. The ODV provides a panoramic image of 360 degree surroundings in real time and is possible to monitor two or more deployable structures at the same time. Moreover, the CCD and the lens are not exposed to cosmic rays, because these are covered with metallic mirrors. Therefore, a loss of the CCD element and a blur of the lens due to the cosmic rays are not occurred easily. We have designed the ODV for the Unmanned Space Experiment Recovery System (USERS) spacecraft which was launched on September 10, 2002. The optical characteristics of the ODV has been evaluated and the results show that the ODV can acquire a sharp image. Two ODVs were adopted as monitor cameras of the USERS. From the input images of the ODVs on orbit, the deployment of the paddles and the Capillary Pumped Deployable Radiator (CPDR) and the separation of the Re-entry Module (REM) were confirmed.