Nanosatellite Maneuver Planning for Point Cloud Generation With a Rangefinder

Abstract

This paper discusses the application of a single beam laser rangefinger (LRF) to point cloud generation, shape detection, and shape reconstruction for a space-based space situational awareness (SSA) mission. The LRF is part of the payload of a chaser satellite tasked to image a resident space object (RSO). The one-dimensional (1D) nature of LRF returns significantly increases the complexity of the imaging task. To maximize coverage, a method to autonomously detect and fill gaps in sparse point cloud coverage using a narrow field of view (NFOV) camera in conjunction with the LRF is presented. Maneuvers can now be designed onl-line in real time, results presented validate the utility of a single-beam LRF as a tool for 3D imaging of RSO shapes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 05, 2015
Accession Number
AD1034481

Entities

People

  • Bogdan Udrea
  • Jaclyn Beck
  • Michael Nayak

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Data Sets
  • Detection
  • Earth Orbits
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Light Sources
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Orbits
  • Point Clouds
  • Resident Space Objects
  • Simulations
  • Space Objects
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Spacecraft
  • Surveillance
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Computer Vision.
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects