High Precision Compact Modular Flash LIDAR for Lunar and New Frontiers Mission

ASC is the leading provider of Global Shutter 3D Flash LIDAR (GSFL) cameras for space applications including autonomous Entry, Descent, amp; Landing (EDL), situational awareness, topographic imaging, rendezvous amp; docking, and satellite servicing. For terrestrial applications, ASC has focused on compact, miniaturized versions of the GSFL to support the autonomous automobile industry, unmanned vehicles, and military markets.For this phase I, NASA has identified a need to improve measurement accuracy, reduce external processing of sensor data for the spacecraft, reduce SWaP, and operate in dust and illumination effects during EDL. ASCrsquo;s roadmap of improvements to the GSFL resolves these current short comings of the current state of the art sensors for EDL. To meet NASArsquo;s identified needs, ASC plans to implement additional processing capacity in the GSFL and embed Hazard avoidance, NASArsquo;s Super Resolution, and other algorithms to increase measurement accuracy, precision, and resolution; while offloading the external processing of the spacecraft to the GSFL. ASC has plans to reconfigure the TRL9 GoldenEye GSFL into a Compact Modular flash LIDAR (CMFL) that is low power, and frac12; the size and weight of the GoldenEye. ASC will also implement new functions in the space GSFL that have been proven in the terrestrial applications for imaging and ranging through dust. The GSFL also operates in total darkness and direct sunlight. In phase I, ASC will define the system requirements, develop the system architecture including HW and SW, and develop the design conceptnbsp;for the phase II prototype. Deliverables will be the kick off meeting, interim status reports, and the final report.