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Results for “Optical Navigation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2005

Topics covered include: Insect-Inspired Optical-Flow Navigation Sensors; Chemical Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators; A Broad-Band Phase-Contrast Wave-Front Sensor; Progress in Insect-Inspired Optical Navigation Sensors; Portable Airborne Laser System Measures Forest-Canopy Height; Deployable Wide-Aperture Array Antennas; Faster Evolution of More Multifunctional Logic Circuits; Video-Camera-Based Position-Measuring System; N-Type delta Doping of High-Purity Silicon Imaging Arrays; Avionics System Architecture Tool; Updated Chemical Kinetics and Sensitivity Analysis Code; Predicting Flutter and Forced Response in Turbomachinery; Upgrades of Two Computer Codes for Analysis of Turbomachinery; Program Facilitates CMMI Appraisals; Grid Visualization Tool; Program Computes Sound Pressures at Rocket Launches; Solar-System Ephemeris Toolbox; Data-Acquisition Software for PSP/TSP Wind-Tunnel Cameras; Corrosion-Prevention Capabilities of a Water-Borne, Silicone-Based, Primerless Coating; Sol-Gel Process for Making Pt-Ru Fuel-Cell Catalysts; Making Activated Carbon for Storing Gas; System Regulates the Water Contents of Fuel-Cell Streams; Five-Axis, Three-Magnetic-Bearing Dynamic Spin Rig; Modifications of Fabrication of Vibratory Microgyroscopes; Chamber for Growing and Observing Fungi; Electroporation System for Sterilizing Water; Thermoelectric Air/Soil Energy-Harvesting Device; Flexible Metal-Fabric Radiators; Actuated Hybrid Mirror Telescope; Optical Design of an Optical Communications Terminal; Algorithm for Identifying Erroneous Rain-Gauge Readings; Condition Assessment and End-of-Life Prediction System for Electric Machines and Their Loads; Lightweight Thermal Insulation for a Liquid-Oxygen Tank; Stellar Gyroscope for Determining Attitude of a Spacecraft; and Lifting Mechanism for the Mars Explorer Rover.

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NASA NTRS1993

Optical processing for semiautonomous terminal navigation and docking

An optical cross correlator that recognizes a single object is suitable for performing a single-vision function, such as pattern recognition for semiautonomous navigation, landing, and docking of vehicles to a predesignated landing mark. The optical cross correlator, with a video input from a simple imaging system and the output of the optical correlation plane processed with standard star tracker software, produces sufficient information for a spacecraft's terminal homing navigation system to complete a docking maneuver. We describe the application of the optical cross correlator to a landing on a simulated space station.

Scholl, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Evaluation of optical data for Mars approach navigation.

Investigation of several optical data types which can be obtained from science and engineering instruments normally aboard interplanetary spacecraft. TV cameras are assumed to view planets or satellites and stars for celestial references. Also, spacecraft attitude sensors are assumed to yield celestial references. The investigation of approach phases of typical Mars missions showed that the navigation accuracy was greatly enhanced with the addition of optical data to radio data. Viewing stars and the planet Mars was found most advantageous ten days before Mars encounter, and viewing Deimos or Phobos and stars was most advantageous within ten days of encounter.

Jerath, N.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Initial Navigation Alignment of Optical Instruments on GOES-R

Post-launch alignment errors for the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and Geospatial Lightning Mapper (GLM) on GOES-R may be too large for the image navigation and registration (INR) processing algorithms to function without an initial adjustment to calibration parameters. We present an approach that leverages a combination of user-selected image-to-image tie points and image correlation algorithms to estimate this initial launch-induced offset and calculate adjustments to the Line of Sight Motion Compensation (LMC) parameters. We also present an approach to generate synthetic test images, to which shifts and rotations of known magnitude are applied. Results of applying the initial alignment tools to a subset of these synthetic test images are presented. The results for both ABI and GLM are within the specifications established for these tools, and indicate that application of these tools during the post-launch test (PLT) phase of GOES-R operations will enable the automated INR algorithms for both instruments to function as intended.

geolocation↗
NASA NTRS2003

Optical landmark detection for spacecraft navigation

In this paper, a new crater detection algorithm is suggested. Experimental studies show that this new algorithm can achieve sub-pixel accuracy in position, its detection rate is better than 90% and its false alarm rate is less than 5%. These good characteristics indicate that it is an ideal crater detection algorithm for spacecraft optical navigation.

optical↗
NASA NTRS2018

Methods for Passive Optical Detection and Relative Navigation for Rendezvous with a Non-Cooperative Object at Mars

Long-range passive optical detection of an orbiting inert sphere by a robotic Mars orbiter is investigated and trades are described in terms of detectability via reflected visible light in the presence of orbit uncertainty, gravitational perturbations, and camera electronics noise. A new approximate equation for signal-tonoise ratio (SNR) is developed to include most relevant camera imperfections, diffraction, and stray light from the Mars limb as relevant to this scenario. Using this method, a notional camera suite is designed to meet detection, navigation, and redundancy requirements for an example mission scenario. Results from a simulation tool demonstrate the long-range initial detection strategy in the presence of perturbations from various sources. Finally, navigation analysis shows that the information gathered using passive optical detection is sufficient to begin orbit matching.

Woolley, Ryan C.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Navigation accuracy at Jupiter and Saturn using optical observations of planetary satellites

Autonomous on-board navigation has the potential to enable new types of missions and decrease reliance on NASA’s Deep Space Network for navigation purposes. Previous results have shown that navigating with only optical images of asteroids is feasible for inner planet cruise. In this study, we show that images of natural satellites can be used to navigate during approach and tour phases around the gas giants. We investigate the Jupiter and Saturn systems here, and specifically assess the performance of optical-only navigation for the Juno, Europa Clipper, and Cassini trajectories. Early approach phases and tours at Jupiter would require radiometric data to navigate, but the performance of optical-only data rivals the as-flown performance for Cassini at Saturn.

Broschart, Stephen B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

High-accuracy Mars approach navigation with radio metric and optical data

The aerocapture of a space vehicle on hyperbolic approach to Mars results in tight navigation requirements at atmospheric entry. The purpose of this paper is to examine several different methods for approach navigation and to determine what accuracies are possible. The methods are broken into four groups as follows (1) navigation with only Deep Space Network (DSN) tracking of the approach vehicle, (2) navigation with the DSN plus ranging between the approach vehicle and spacecraft in orbit about Mars, (3) navigation with the DSN plus optical data involving the Martian moons, and (4) navigation with DSN range data and differenced range data involving the approach spacecraft and orbiters at Mars. If the current modeling errors that affect earth-based radio metric data, such as errors in tracking station locations, the Martian ephemeris, and differences in the quasar and planetary coordinate frames, are improved, then perhaps earth-based tracking could meet the entry error requirements imposed by aerocapture. If not, then the other three options of intervehicular range, optical data, or differenced range provide highly accurate entry knowledge at least twelve hours before entry.

Konopliv, Alex↗
NASA NTRS1994

Galileo Orbit Determination During the Ida Encounter

As the time of the Ida encounter by Galileo approached, some unfortunate circumstances occurred, causing a very worrisome but exciting encounter, especially with regards to navigation. This paper reports on Galileo's orbit determination stratagy during the period after the last Earth encounter through the Ida flyby. Details in the modeling of Galileo's orbit, and in the use of various navigation tools, will be explained and the results of several key orbit solutions will be given.

Galileo Ida encounter orbit determination navigati↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

LuNaMaps FY 2024 Annual Program Review

The LuNaMaps project seeks to advance mapping capabilities and understanding in preparation for lunar landing scenarios. In this presentation we outline the advancements made by the team over the last year.

stereophotogrammetry↗