3D Scanning of an RSO using LIDAR and/or Stereoscopic Cameras

The United States Space Force (USSF) needs innovation in 3D scanning of Resident Space Objects (RSO) to effectively perform active management of orbital debris as well as On Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM) and defense-related missions. OSAM missions will require that a “service satellite” operate near a “target satellite” or RSO. Novel sensor fusion modalities coupled with robust estimation algorithms, would allow a service satellite to estimate the pose and velocity of the RSO and execute control strategies for proximity operations. The use of LIDAR for the purpose of creating a 3D model of the RSO was also demonstrated in the recent OSIRIS-REx mission, that mapped asteroid Bennu and collected the samples to return to Earth in 2023.  Stereoscopic Cameras, Machine Vision, and Vision processing is another viable option that can be utilized to synthesize RSO states. In this specific application, the images provide independent information that would be used in robust matching algorithms to improve the LIDAR generated 3D models. The proposed effort will also conduct a survey of existent algorithms and their efficacy in the space environment using a variety of lighting conditions, reflectance properties of the RSO, and tumbling rates.