Application of a Laser Rangefinder for Space Object Imaging and Shape Reconstruction
Abstract
This paper addresses the feasibility of using point clouds generated with a single-beam laser rangefinder (LRF) to reconstruct the three-dimensional shape of an unknown Resident Space Object (RSO), employing a combination of relative motion between the chaser and the RSO and chaser attitude motion. The first step in the analysis is the application of both an LRF and a scanning LIDAR to image and reconstruct the shape of a tri-axial ellipsoid of diffuse constant reflectivity. A single beam LRF, and a multi-beam scanning LIDAR are simulated. Next, the techniques designed above are applied to the imaging of a Resident Space Object (RSO) in the shape of generic telecommunications satellite. Various inclination and attitude maneuver test cases are explored to obtain a desired level of LRF point cloud density. The study concludes that, for error-free measurements, the LRF can effectively create sufficiently dense point clouds for various asteroid and satellite shaped SOs, with low propellant consumption, by exploiting a designed combination of Keplerian and attitude motion. Finally, the technique is further tested through inclusion of two sensor error models. Results will be applied to ARAPAIMA, a nanosatellite mission funded under the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research University Nanosat Program UNP) Cycle 8.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1034433
Entities
People
- Bogdan Udrea
- Brandon Marsella
- Jaclyn R Beck
- Michael V. Nayak
Organizations
- Space Systems Command