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Evaluation of a Laser-Dot Grid-Projection System for Lunar Lander Crater-Shape and Ejecta-Sheet MeasurementsDevelopment, testing, and evaluation of an active-illumination laser-dot grid-projection system was performed to evaluate its potential inclusion on an upcoming uncrewed lunar lander mission to the south pole region of the moon. Active illumination may be required for this mission due to the shallow angle of the sun at the landing location, which may cast shadows in
the landing region, hindering the stereo camera imaging system’s ability to determine the pre-and post-landing lunar surface/crater shape. Testing includes characterization of the diffractive optical elements used for the grid projection, single-camera tests to determine the imaged laser dot intensity as a function of camera exposure and imaging angle relative to the laser grid projection, laser dot brightness/saturation impact on depth map calculations, angle of imaged laser grid impact on depth map calculations for steep crater edges, impact of density gradients on the depth map calculations, and the feasibility of making measurements of the ejecta sheet.
Document ID
20230017583
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Joshua M. Weisberger
(Langley Research Center Hampton, United States)
Olivia K. Tyrrell
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, United States)
Paul M. Danehy
(Langley Research Center Hampton, United States)
Timothy W. Fahringer
(Langley Research Center Hampton, United States)
Date Acquired
December 4, 2023
Subject Category
Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA SciTech Forum
Location: Orlando, Florida
Country: US
Start Date: January 8, 2024
End Date: January 12, 2024
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 335803.04.31.23
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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