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Optical Landing Hazard Sensor

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNL06AA16C
Agency Tracking Number: 041582
Amount: $595,406.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X6.03
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-12-02
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-06-03
Small Business Information
10 Corporate Pl, South Bedford St
Burlington, MA 01826-5168
United States
DUNS: 04940
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Christian Trowbridge
 Principal Investigator
 (781) 273-2820
 chris@visidyne.com
Business Contact
 John Bates
Title: Treasurer
Phone: (781) 273-2820
Email: bates@visidyne.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Visidyne's Phase I effort has established through modeling and analysis that a unique concept for an active optical 3-D Imager (or Imaging LADAR) has high potential for successful application as a hazard avoidance sensor for use by NASA spacecraft during landing on planetary surfaces. The Landing Hazard Sensor promises to be highly cost-effective, utilizing efficient high-power laser diode technology and a gateable array of detectors to implement a sensor that provides range images to passive targets at relatively long range and over wide fields-of-regard. Further image processing determines terrain relief and gradients (identifying rocks and steep slopes) that may present impediments to landing. The spacecraft Guidance and Navigation Computer will guide the spacecraft to an obstacle free landing area by directing the engine thrust vector based upon Hazard Sensor data (as well as data from other sensors). During Phase II, a hardware and software prototype of the Landing Hazard Sensor will be designed, constructed and evaluated.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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