Autonomous tracking, navigation, rendezvous, and docking using the laser dynamic range imager and cross-plane tracking

摘要

This paper develops a novel navigation technology for the automation of sensor dependent functions in systems undergoing significant rigid-body motion. These functions include tracking, navigation, rendezvous, and docking. The systems that will benefit from this technology includes: unmanned autonomous aerospace vehicles, missile or projectile trackers, planetary landers, manufacturing processes, and a host of others. This technology is based on the Laser Dynamic Range Imager sensor (LDRI) as coupled with Cross-Plane Tracking (CPT) software. This paper will discuss the two primary technologies (the LDRI and CPT) as well as providing results from the combination of the two technologies using a set of ancillary software modules. Results from a recent Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will be presented to illustrate the combination of these two technologies to provide data for the functions listed above. The next steps in the development of a real-time tracking sensor are highlighted and discussed in terms of the provided examples.