Characterization of 3-D imaging lidar for hazard avoidance and autonomous landing on the Moon

Abstract

Future robotic and crewed lunar missions will require safe and precision soft-landing at scientifically interesting sites near hazardous terrain features such as craters and rocks or near pre-deployed assets. Presently, NASA is studying the ability of various 3-dimensional imaging sensors particularly lidar/ladar techniques in meeting its lunar landing needs. For this reason, a Sensor Test Range facility has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center for calibration and characterization of potential 3-D imaging sensors. This paper describes the Sensor Test Range facility and its application in characterizing a 3-D imaging ladar. The results of the ladar measurement are reported and compared with simulated image frames generated by a ladar model that was also developed as part of this effort. In addition to allowing for characterization and evaluation of different ladar systems, the ladar measurements at the Sensor Test Range will support further advancement of ladar systems and development of more efficient and accurate image reconstruction algorithms.