HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL ELEVATION MAPS USING FLASH LIDAR TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE SAFE LANDINGS IN FULLY OR PARTIALLY COOPERATIVE LANDING SITES

The United States Space Force (USSF) is actively supporting the development of Space Access, Mobility, and Logistics (SAML) initiatives. An example of this is the collaboration between the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Rocket Cargo Program.  This program faces the challenge of landing on a variety of surfaces, ranging from partially improved sites like parking lots to completely unimproved locations such as farm fields. Successfully addressing these landing challenges involves the real-time assessment of surface conditions and potential hazards. This assessment is crucial for dynamically generating safe landing areas using onboard sensors and specialized software. ASC's primary objective is to equip the Air Force with a Flash LiDAR sensor and real-time processing capability to identify safe landing zones and hazards accurately. To optimize the sensor for this purpose, ASC collaborated with the Technical Monitor to refine the Concept of Operations (ConOps) for rocket landings. These ConOps encompass various aspects, including flight phases, maneuvers, landing zone definitions, and environmental operating conditions. As some of these factors may not have precise definitions, the subsequent sections will present solutions that can be adapted on a flexible scale. The Phase II SBIR plan integrates concepts rooted in Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) to demonstrate ConOps effectively. It capitalizes on the simulation capabilities of the GSFL (Ground Systems for Launch and Landing) system for conducting software-in-the-loop testing and generating data essential for Deep Neural Network (DNN) training and testing. This comprehensive approach allows ASC to rigorously evaluate both the application software and the core algorithms for their accuracy and reliability in identifying safe landing zones and potential hazards. Additionally, ASC intends to employ an ASC GSFL camera to capture simulated landing zone configurations and generate digital elevation maps. This will be achieved by suspending the camera from a gantry, a similar structure, or an aerial vehicle. The Phase II SBIR plan outlines the following key objectives: •  Develop software-in-the-loop simulations for a variety of landing scenarios, accompanied by organized point cloud data obtained from GSFL. •   Formulate architectures and algorithms for identifying safe landing zones and hazards with precision. •   Create application software that demonstrates the practical functionality of these safe landing algorithms. •    Conduct comprehensive testing of the application software using the GSFL simulator, employing a software-in-the-loop approach. •    Utilize an ASC GSFL camera suspended and lowered from a gantry or a similar elevated platform to capture representative landing zone data effectively. By pursuing these objectives, ASC aims to significantly contribute to the successful implementation of the Rocket Cargo Program, ultimately enhancing the capabilities of cargo transportation for the DoD.