Imaging LIDAR technology developments at the European Space Agency

Abstract

The European Space Agency (ESA) foresees several robotic missions to the Moon and to Mars ultimately aimed for the preparation of future Human exploration activities. To accomplish the robotic mission objectives Imaging LIDARs (LIght Detection And Ranging) are one of the identified key technologies that shall provide essential range and image information to the spacecraft Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) system during spacecrafts critical and automatic operations. Two technology development contracts have been established for the development and demonstration of Imaging LIDAR technologies. The two applications considered were: to support spacecraft descent and landing manoeuvres; and to assist the rendezvous and docking operations between two spacecrafts. Two elegant breadboards have been designed and manufactured. The goal of these activities was to implement novel technologies in order to reduce substantially the mass and power consumption of Imaging LIDAR sensors. The Imaging LIDAR sensors foreseen for these two applications have a mass <10kg, power consumption <60Watt, measure distances up to 5000m, with a field of view up to 20x20 degrees, range resolutions down to 2 cm, and a frame rate higher than 1 Hz.