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Canceled TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 5)
Smart Video Guidance Sensor (SVGS) is a cross-cutting relative position and orientation sensor capable of producing the relative position and orientatoin between an image acquisition system and an active target system. The image acquisition system images a known target configuration consisting of LED markers and executes a photogrammetry algorithm. The relative position and orientation between the image aquisition system and the target system is then computed. This technology is applicable to Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD); Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL); and lunar surface navigation. The primary focus during the FY21-FY22 project period is advancing the technology for RPOD applications.
The key benefits of SVGS over traditional RPOD sensors (e.g., LiDARs) is a large reduction in footprint, power draw, and computational complexity. The SVGS algorithm is simple, robust, and has space heritage through its predecessors, the Video Guidance Sensor (VGS) and the Advanced Video Guidance Sensors (AVGS). VGS was flown on STS-87 and STS-95, while AVGS was used for autonomous rendezvous and docking in the DART and Orbital Express missions. Outside of RPOD, the VGS algorithm has been studied as a potential Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) sensor, with simulations showing a 5-fold reduction in landing footprint when the VGS technology is included along with a traditional EDL sensor suite (i.e., terrain relative navigation sensor, navigation doppler LiDAR (NDL), etc.). Alternatively, SVGS may be able to replace relatively large and high power draw sensors (like the NDL) for some mission concepts.
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