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Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 7)
The LiDAR Hazard Detection for Safe and Precise Lunar Landing project aims to test Astrobotic Technology’s hazard detection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system’s ability to meet stringent requirements for detecting and avoiding rocks, craters, and slopes and selecting a safe landing site. It is designed to detect hazards as small as 15 cm and 10° slopes. During the final 1.5 km, 3D LiDAR point cloud data is processed into a hazard map of the terrain. Data is fused with the spacecraft’s navigation state before a target site is selected and passed to the vehicle’s guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system.
Problem Statement
Advanced hazard detection (HD) is key to sustainable planetary landings at the most challenging and interesting sites. In particular, HD is needed to safely and precisely land Astrobotic’s Griffin lunar lander and deploy NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) at the South Pole of the Moon, currently planned for 2023. There is also a lack of proven commercial LiDAR hazard detection solutions that combine space-grade hardware, software, and simulation tools. This project’s objective is to reduce risk to NASA’s VIPER Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) mission and future missions by performing real-time, open-loop hazard detection sensor tests with relevant landing trajectories and validate sensor performance in an operational environment.
Technology Maturation
Coupling MDA Ltd.’s downward-looking LiDAR for Extraterrestrial Imaging Applications (LEIA) with Astrobotic’s HD LiDAR sensor could increase reliability and precision. The flight test aims to increase the technology readiness level (TRL) from 6 to 7.
Summary of Flight Test
2024-11-05 During this flight test campaign, an engineering model of Astrobotic’s hazard detection LiDAR sensor successfully collected terrain data while mounted on Astrobotic’s Xodiac vertical takeoff vertical landing rocket. A series of preparatory flights were conducted with the final free flight occurring over a simulated lunar terrain, capturing highprecision data to enhance hazard detection for future lunar lander missions. This achievement represents a significant advancement in demonstrated space exploration technology capabilities and lessons from this test will be directly applied to Astrobotic’s upcoming lander missions.
This project aims to test Astrobotic’s hazard detection light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system’s ability to meet stringent requirements for detecting and avoiding rocks, craters, and slopes and selecting a safe landing site. It is designed to detect hazards as small as 15 cm and 10° slopes. During the final 1.5 km, 3D LiDAR point cloud data is processed into a hazard map of the terrain. Data is fused with the spacecraft’s navigation state before a target site is selected and passed to the vehicle’s guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system. This has the potential to benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, and other government agencies.
Future Customers
CLPS lunar landers (including Astrobotic and others)
Mars and other planetary landers
LiDAR for larger rovers (e.g., lunar terrain vehicle)
Rendezvous proximity operations and docking missions for NASA and U.S. Department of Defense
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