Laser information system for spacecraft rendezvous and docking

摘要

This paper analyzes the parameters of space-based on-board laser systems for spacecraft rendezvous and docking. It is shown that, when searching for a space object, scanning systems have advantages over active-vision systems based on a video camera with laser illumination (so-called 3D-Flash LADAR systems). On the other hand, 3D-Flash LADAR systems have the maximum information throughput. A hybrid linear-locator layout is considered that combines the advantages of laser scanning systems and 3D-Flash LADAR devices. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America.