The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning to develop a smaller and more powerful sensor as a navigation aid for deep space planetary missions.
The new 3D imaging light detection and ranging (Lidar) will operate in the same fashion as radar by scanning pulsed laser beam targets and measuring the time it takes for the light to bounce back, while its shorter wavelength will offer more precise measurements.
ESA has awarded separate design contracts for the 3D imaging Lidar to two consortia, one led by Jena-Optronik in Jena, Germany and the other by ABSL in Culham, UK.
The two designs were aimed at diverse guidance and navigation applications, of which the German-led unit developed a future rendezvous sensor, while the UK-led design was aimed at helping a Lander touch down safely on a planet, to detect and avoid potential hazards.
The new imaging Lidars rely on a steerable scan mirror that flips the laser beam across the target with a highly sensitive light detector to measure the returning beams from several kilometres away.
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By GlobalDataThe 3D imaging Lidar’s main potential functions include guidance, navigation and control of both planetary Landers and steering rovers on planetary surfaces, and assistance in the docking of craft in planetary orbit.
ESA 3D imaging Lidar project manager, Joao Pereira Do Carmo, said: "Terrestrial imaging Lidars already exist, typically used for scanning buildings or industrial sites, but they are much too bulky for use in space."
He continued: "The challenge is to produce a new class of imaging Lidar, much smaller and needing less power."
ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle already uses laser ranging during its docking with the International Space Station, by bouncing laser beams off reflectors on the orbital outpost it will evaluate the distance within a couple of centimetres.
The 3D imaging Lidar would be useful for solar system missions to obtain a detailed 3D image of the objects, which would not be limited by light conditions and will continue to operate in dazzling sunlight or pitch black night.
The Imaging Lidar Technology project was supported through ESA’s Basic Technology Research Programme aimed at prototyping promising new engineering concepts, and the newly designed 3D Lidar is expected to assist in the safe landing of ESA’s Lunar Lander in 2019.
Do Carmo added: "It is expected that we can reduce the mass and power consumptions of current commercial imaging Lidar systems by at least 70%."
Image: The ABSL prototype was aimed at assisting a Lander touch down safely on a planet to detect and avoid hazards. Photo: ESA/ABSL
