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Laser Safety at NASA’s New Laser Ranging Stations
Laser safety has been a critical part of the NASA’s satellite laser ranging stations for many decades. As the new Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) systems complete development and begin integration/testing, they have had to adapt to evolving technologies and regulation changes. NASA’s SGSLR system will be deployed in many parts of the world, each with their own local safety framework and specific concerns. We describe the status, methods, and technologies of laser safety that are being implemented for our current scheduled deployment of SGSLR stations. We pay special attention to our partnership with the Norwegian Mapping Authority, and our collaboration in deployment of SGSLR in Ny Ålesund, Svalbard.
Laser Safety Device
A major focus of work done at Air Products and Chemicals' Laser Application Laboratory is on use of ultraviolet radiation using high energy excimer lasers. Because light within the wavelength of excimer lasers is invisible, it can cause serious damage to eyes and tissue. To contain the laser beam, Air Products Incorporated a Jet Propulsion Laboratory invention described in a technical support package into its beam stops. The technology interrupts the laser pathway and allows workers to remain in the target area without shutting off the laser.
Aircraft Detection System Ensures Free-Space Laser Safety
As scientists continue to explore our solar system, there are increasing demands to return greater volumes of data from smaller deep-space probes. Accordingly, NASA is studying advanced strategies based on free-space laser transmissions, which offer secure, high-bandwidth communications using smaller subsystems of much lower power and mass than existing ones. These approaches, however, can pose a danger to pilots in the beam path because the lasers may illuminate aircraft and blind them. Researchers thus are investigating systems that will monitor the surrounding airspace for aircraft that could be affected. This paper presents current methods for safe free space laser propagation.
Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) Uplink Laser Safety Overview
No abstract provided
Safety with lasers.
Hazards, effect, safety and precaution for prevention of physical injuries from laser radiation
Simulation of Mission Phases
This position with the Simulation and Graphics Branch (ER7) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) provided an introduction to vehicle hardware, mission planning, and simulation design. ER7 supports engineering analysis and flight crew training by providing high-fidelity, real-time graphical simulations in the Systems Engineering Simulator (SES) lab. The primary project assigned by NASA mentor and SES lab manager, Meghan Daley, was to develop a graphical simulation of the rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) phases of flight. The simulation is to include a generic crew/cargo transportation vehicle and a target object in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Various capsule, winged, and lifting body vehicles as well as historical RPOD methods were evaluated during the project analysis phase. JSC core mission to support the International Space Station (ISS), Commercial Crew Program (CCP), and Human Space Flight (HSF) influenced the project specifications. The simulation is characterized as a 30 meter +V Bar and/or -R Bar approach to the target object's docking station. The ISS was selected as the target object and the international Low Impact Docking System (iLIDS) was selected as the docking mechanism. The location of the target object's docking station corresponds with the RPOD methods identified. The simulation design focuses on Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system architecture models with station keeping and telemetry data processing capabilities. The optical and inertial sensors, reaction control system thrusters, and the docking mechanism selected were based on CCP vehicle manufacturer's current and proposed technologies. A significant amount of independent study and tutorial completion was required for this project. Multiple primary source materials were accessed using the NASA Technical Report Server (NTRS) and reference textbooks were borrowed from the JSC Main Library and International Space Station Library. The Trick Simulation Environment and User Training Materials version 2013.0 release was used to complete the Trick tutorial. Multiple network privilege and repository permission requests were required in order to access previous simulation models. The project was also an introduction to computer programming and the Linux operating system. Basic C++ and Python syntax was used during the completion of the Trick tutorial. Trick's engineering analysis and Monte Carlo simulation capabilities were observed and basic space mission planning procedures were applied in the conceptual design phase. Multiple professional development opportunities were completed in addition to project duties during this internship through the System for Administration, Training, and Education Resources for NASA (SATERN). Topics include: JSC Risk Management Workshop, CCP Risk Management, Basic Radiation Safety Training, X-Ray Radiation Safety, Basic Laser Safety, JSC Export Control, ISS RISE Ambassador, Basic SharePoint 2013, Space Nutrition and Biochemistry, and JSC Personal Protective Equipment. Additionally, this internship afforded the opportunity for formal project presentation and public speaking practice. This was my first experience at a NASA center. After completing this internship I have a much clearer understanding of certain aspects of the agency's processes and procedures, as well as a deeper appreciation from spaceflight simulation design and testing. I will continue to improve my technical skills so that I may have another opportunity to return to NASA and Johnson Space Center.
Aircraft spotting system for laser guide star safety
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Overview of Optical Ground Station 1 of the NASA Space Communications and Navigation Program
Optical Ground Station 1 (OGS1) is the first of a new breed of dedicated ground terminals to support NASA’s developing space-based optical communications infrastructure. It is based at NASA’s Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) at the Table Mountain Observatory near Wrightwood, CA. The system will serve as the primary ground station for NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) experiment. This paper presents an overview of the OCTL telescope facility, the OGS1 ground-based optical communications systems, and the networking and control infrastructure currently under development. The OGS1 laser safety systems and atmospheric monitoring systems are also briefly described.
Helicopter Flight Test of a Compact, Real-Time 3-D Flash Lidar for Imaging Hazardous Terrain During Planetary Landing
A second generation, compact, real-time, air-cooled 3-D imaging Flash Lidar sensor system, developed from a number of cutting-edge components from industry and NASA, is lab characterized and helicopter flight tested under the Autonomous Precision Landing and Hazard Detection and Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) project. The ALHAT project is seeking to develop a guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) and sensing system based on lidar technology capable of enabling safe, precise crewed or robotic landings in challenging terrain on planetary bodies under any ambient lighting conditions. The Flash Lidar incorporates a 3-D imaging video camera based on Indium-Gallium-Arsenide Avalanche Photo Diode and novel micro-electronic technology for a 128 x 128 pixel array operating at a video rate of 20 Hz, a high pulse-energy 1.06 μm Neodymium-doped: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, a remote laser safety termination system, high performance transmitter and receiver optics with one and five degrees field-of-view (FOV), enhanced onboard thermal control, as well as a compact and self-contained suite of support electronics housed in a single box and built around a PC-104 architecture to enable autonomous operations. The Flash Lidar was developed and then characterized at two NASA-Langley Research Center (LaRC) outdoor laser test range facilities both statically and dynamically, integrated with other ALHAT GN&C subsystems from partner organizations, and installed onto a Bell UH-1H Iroquois "Huey" helicopter at LaRC. The integrated system was flight tested at the NASA-Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on simulated lunar approach to a custom hazard field consisting of rocks, craters, hazardous slopes, and safe-sites near the Shuttle Landing Facility runway starting at slant ranges of 750 m. In order to evaluate different methods of achieving hazard detection, the lidar, in conjunction with the ALHAT hazard detection and GN&C system, operates in both a narrow 1deg FOV raster-scanning mode in which successive, gimbaled images of the hazard field are mosaicked together as well as in a wider, 4.85deg FOV staring mode in which digital magnification, via a novel 3-D superresolution technique, is used to effectively achieve the same spatial precision attained with the more narrow FOV optics. The lidar generates calibrated and corrected 3-D range images of the hazard field in real-time and passes them to the ALHAT Hazard Detection System (HDS) which stitches the images together to generate on-the-fly Digital Elevation Maps (DEM's) and identifies hazards and safe-landing sites which the ALHAT GN&C system can then use to guide the host vehicle to a safe landing on the selected site. Results indicate that, for the KSC hazard field, the lidar operational range extends from 100m to 1.35 km for a 30 degree line-of-sight angle and a range precision as low as 8 cm which permits hazards as small as 25 cm to be identified. Based on the Flash Lidar images, the HDS correctly found and reported safe sites in near-real-time during several of the flights. A follow-on field test, planned for 2013, seeks to complete the closing of the GN&C loop for fully-autonomous operations on-board the Morpheus robotic, rocket-powered, free-flyer test bed in which the ALHAT system would scan the KSC hazard field (which was vetted during the present testing) and command the vehicle to landing on one of the selected safe sites.
Measurement of vortex flow fields
A 3-D laser fluorescence anemometer (LFA) was designed, built, and demonstrated for use in the Langley 16 x 24 inch Water Tunnel. Innovative optical design flexibility combined with compact and portable data acquisition and control systems were incorporated into the instrument. This will allow its use by NASA in other test facilities. A versatile fiber optic system facilities normal and off-axis laser beam alignment, removes mirror losses and improves laser safety. This added optical flexibility will also enable simple adaptation for use in the adjacent jet facility. New proprietary concepts in transmitting color separation, light collection, and novel prism separation of the scattered light was also designed and built into the system. Off-axis beam traverse and alignment complexity led to the requirement for a specialized, programmable transverse controller, and the inclusion of an additional traverse for the off-axis arm. To meet this challenge, an 'in-house' prototype unit was designed and built and traverse control software developed specifically for the water tunnel traverse applications. A specialized data acquisition interface was also required. This was designed and built for the LFA system.
Laser Incident in the NASA Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel
A viewgraph presentation describing the laser incident in the NASA Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) is shown. The topics include: 1) Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT); 2) UPWT 11' x 11' Transonic Wind Tunnel; 3) UPWT 9' x 7' Supersonic Wind Tunnel; 4) 3D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV); 5) PIV System in 11' x 11' Transonic Test Section; 6) PIV installation in 11' x 11' TWT; 7) 3% Space Shuttle Ascent Configuration Test in UPWT 9' x 7' Test Section; 8) PIV installation in 9' x 7' SWT; 9) PIV Laser System in 9' x 7' SWT; 10) PIV Laser System Access Window; 11) Cooling Water Leak at Rear of Power Supply; 12) PIV Laser Safety Interlock System; 13) Safety Interlock Cable; 14) Q-Switch located on top of 9' x 7' Test Section; 15) Investigation Findings and Recommendations; and 16) PIV Results for 3% Space Shuttle Model in UPWT 9' x 7'.
A Method for Determining the Nominal Occular Hazard Zone for Gaussian Beam Laser Rangers with a Firmware Controlled Variable Focal Length
LIDAR systems that maintain a constant beam spot size on a retroreflector in order to increase the accuracy of bearing and ranging data must use a software controlled variable position lens. These systems periodically update the estimated range and set the position of the focusing lens accordingly. In order to precisely calculate the r NOHD for such a system, the software method for setting the variable position lens and gaussian laser propagation can be used to calculate the irradiance at any point given the range estimation. NASA s Space Shuttle LIDAR, called the Trajectory Control Sensor (TCS), uses this configuration. Analytical tools were developed using Excel and VBA to determine the radiant energy to the International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers eyes while viewing the shuttle on approach and departure. Various viewing scenarios are considered including the use of through-the-lens imaging optics and the window transmissivity at the TCS wavelength. The methodology incorporates the TCS system control logic, gaussian laser propagation, potential failure mode end states, and guidance from American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1-2007). This approach can be adapted for laser safety analyses of similar LIDAR systems.
Research Lasers and Air Traffic Safety: Issues, Concerns and Responsibilities of the Research Community
The subject of outdoor use of lasers relative to air traffic has become a diverse and dynamic topic. During the past several decades, the use of lasers in outdoor research activities have increased significantly. Increases in the outdoor use of lasers and increases in air traffic densities have changed the levels of risk involved. To date there have been no documented incidents of air traffic interference from research lasers; however, incidents involving display lasers have shown a marked increase. As a result of the national response to these incidents, new concerns over lasers have arisen. Through the efforts of the SAE G-10T Laser Safety Hazards Subcommittee and the ANSI Z136.6 development committee, potential detrimental effects to air traffic beyond the traditional eye damage concerns have been identified. An increased emphasis from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Center for Devices and Radiological Hazards (CDRH), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) along with increased concern by the public have resulted in focused scrutiny of potential hazards presented by lasers. The research community needs to rethink the traditional methods of risk evaluation and application of protective measures. The best current approach to assure adequate protection of air traffic is the application of viable hazard and risk analysis and the use of validated protective measures. Standards making efforts and regulatory development must be supported by the research community to assure that reasonable measures are developed. Without input, standards and regulations can be developed that are not compatible with the needs of the research community. Finally, support is needed for the continued development and validation of protective measures.
3D Lasers Increase Efficiency, Safety of Moving Machines
Canadian company Neptec Design Group Ltd. developed its Laser Camera System, used by shuttles to render 3D maps of their hulls for assessing potential damage. Using NASA funding, the firm incorporated LiDAR technology and created the TriDAR 3D sensor. Its commercial arm, Neptec Technologies Corp., has sold the technology to Orbital Sciences, which uses it to guide its Cygnus spacecraft during rendezvous and dock operations at the International Space Station.
Safety management of complex research operators
Complex research and technology operations present varied potential hazards which are addressed in a disciplined, independent safety review and approval process. Potential hazards vary from high energy fuels to hydrocarbon fuels, high pressure systems to high voltage systems, toxic chemicals to radioactive materials and high speed rotating machinery to high powered lasers. A Safety Permit System presently covers about 600 potentially hazardous operations. The Safety Management Program described is believed to be a major factor in maintaining an excellent safety record.
Compact Multi-Channel Infrared Laser Absorption Spectrometer for Spacecraft Fire Safety Monitoring
We report on the design of a six-channel tunable laser absorption spectroscopy instrument for measuring ambient gas-phase concentrations of CO, HCl, HCN, HF, CO2, and O2 in spacecraft environments. Monitoring of these compounds can provide early warning detection of fire events while also indicating what materials have been exposed to heating. Continued post-fire monitoring of these hazardous gases can also facilitate safe and effective cleanup. The sensor is a miniaturized version of a five-channel prototype that was previously validated in ground-based oxidative pyrolysis tests. Here, we describe absorption line selection and theoretical detection limits for a sensor with reduced absorption pathlengths for each detection channel, which allows for a substantial reduction in overall instrument footprint. Ultimately, the new instrument is designed to be used in fire safety tests conducted by NASA, where various materials will undergo oxidative pyrolysis in an unmanned spacecraft returning from low Earth orbit.
Laser-based firing systems for prompt initiation of secondary explosives
Motivated by issues of weapon safety and security, laser based firing systems for promptly initiating secondary explosives have been under active development at Sandia National Laboratories for more than four years. Such a firing system consists of miniaturized, Q-switched, solid-state laser, optical detonators, optical safety switches, and elements for splitting, coupling, and transmitting the laser output. Potential system applications pose significant challenges in terms of server mechanical and thermal environments and packaging constraints, while requiring clear demonstration of safety enhancements. The Direct Optical Initiation (DOI) Program at Sandia is addressing these challenges through progress development phases during which the design, fabrication, and testing of prototype hardware is aimed at more difficult application requirements. A brief history of the development program, and a summary of current and planned activities, will be presented.