On-orbit Reconfigurable LiDAR for Mapping and Hazard Detection

In order to track and rendezvous with objects on orbit, a sensor is needed that can accurately measure the object in 3D space. The current state of the art is to use scanning lidar or flash lidar systems to measure the location and pose of the target. When the target is tumbling at high speed, scanning lidars encounter blurring distortions. Flash lidar systems are the only technology that can reliably produce 3D organized point cloud data without motion blurring effects. Enhancing this technology with liquid crystal polarization gratings gives flash lidar the flexibility to change the field of view and staring angle on a per frame basis. Implementing this new step-and-stare lidar design leads to improvements to field of view, angular resolution, and frame rate, while maintaining low SWaP. The goal of this program is to establish the architecture for the Reconfigurable Lidar System. Anon-mechanical variable focus receiver lens and laser beam expander will be designed. The specifications for the liquid crystal optical subcomponents and the controlling electronics will be developed. An on-board processor for built in AI and control software are going to be selected and integrated into the lidar schematics. ASC will work with NASA to tailor the system specifications and performance level to anticipated requirements for future programs. The requirements will be integrated into ASC’s lidar simulator so that performance with the reconfigurability enhancements can be quantitatively assessed. ASC will demonstrate a representative mission in this simulated environment. The phase 1 deliverables are a technical report detailing the design of the re-configurable lidar system and demonstrating the feasibility in a simulated demonstration. The reconfigurable lidar is a step forward for the state of the art in on-orbit 3D measurement hardware. This will position ASC to provide a robust, flexible, and low SWaP solution to the satellite servicing and space domain awareness markets.