Single Aperture Multifunctional Optical Sensor

This sequential Phase II proposal is to address the NASA Technical Need Area 2023-3: Active Debris Removal (ADR). To address this need, RC Integrated Systems LLC (RISL) proposes to advance the development of a novel Miniature Optical Proximity Sensor (MOPS) technology that has been developed under a NASA-funded SBIR Phase II project to a deployable Single Aperture Multifunctional Optical Sensor (SAMOS). The MOPS was developed to provide proximity sensing with sub-mm range resolution for the measurement of an arbitrary object ranging from contact to over 20 cm to support satellite servicing applications. The SAMOS will achieve more functions and better performances than the current MOPS; it will realize noncontact measurement of the target range and velocity with operating distance from contact up to 10 m using a single aperture optical head. The SAMOS could be used to support the Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1) and MEV-2 missions in reliable and safe docking of the MEVs to the serviced satellites. SAMOS will address at least two areas in the ADR: (1) improvements in propulsion and rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture (RPOC) for small satellites to enable the attachment of drag devices or maneuver capabilities to large debris, and (2) non-contact-based capability to impart small velocity changes to space objects.