Acquisition, Tracking, Pointing, and Line-of-Sight Control Laboratory Experiments for a Space-Based Bifocal Relay Mirror

Abstract

Space based bifocal relay mirrors are potentially an enabling/enhancing piece of any architecture making use of long-range laser propagation. Inherent in the bifocal concept is dual line of sight control. This is especially challenging in this space-based application due to spacecraft attitude control issues. This paper presents a summary of the research into acquisition, tracking, pointing (ATP) and control technologies relevant to a bifocal relay mirror system as well as the development of a laboratory experimental test bed to integrate the advanced optics systems onto a Three-axis spacecraft simulator. The relay geometry includes a cooperative source and either a cooperative or non-cooperative target depending on the application. The described test bed is ajoint effort with the Air Force Research Laboratory (optics) and the Naval Postgraduate School (spacecraft simulator).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA601165

Entities

People

  • B. N. Agrawal
  • D. H. Nelson
  • J. D. Dillow
  • J. J. Connors
  • M. G. Spencer
  • M. Romano
  • R. L. Brunson
  • S. R. Restaino

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Gas Bearings
  • Ground Based
  • Line Of Sight
  • Satellite Buses
  • Simulations
  • Simulators
  • Space Based
  • Star Trackers
  • Target Tracking
  • Targets
  • Test Beds

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Radio communications and signal processing.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers