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Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 6)
The Low SWAP-C Nighttime Landing Hazard Detection System (LITTLE OWL) project will test a photogrammetry device that uses the motion of the observing platform to produce very long baseline stereoscopic images in lit and unlit conditions. Nighttime suborbital flight tests will simulate a lunar descent, providing an opportunity to demonstrate the technology’s capabilities.
Problem Statement Safe landing on the Moon or other celestial objects requires identifying a location free of hazards including uneven surfaces that preclude spacecraft touchdown. Finding those locations in nighttime conditions or permanently dark environments is especially difficult. Current technologies use lasers or radar to develop 3D point clouds that represent the shapes or objects on the surface. These methods require very high power, complex development, and significant size and weight. This new technology addresses those issues by leveraging advanced image processing techniques and graphics processing hardware along with multi-view monocular photogrammetry. The sensing system is low cost and has very low size, weight, and power needs, which enables its use on small spacecraft. It could be used to support assessment of landing sites by a lander or other platform needing to create 3D point clouds of a scene in low lighting conditions, such as in deep craters or at night.
Technology Maturation Suborbital flight tests during a nighttime campaign will simulate a lunar descent in areas of the Moon near to permanently shadowed regions on the Moon, demonstrating the technology’s capabilities. After flight testing, researchers will determine the achievable accuracy and timeliness of the 3D map generation from an altitude of 250 to 500 meters. This technology could enable lunar landing or orbital rendezvous capabilities in the future.
Summary of Flight Test
2024-08-29 Our team was able to rapidly and successfully design from scratch, manufacture, and integrate a gimbaled optical payload with software processing, and be prepared for a suborbital flight in less than nine months. The project was definitely challenging and we were able to gather the data we needed to understand the performance of the system. We are excited to apply the lessons-learned from our first suborbital test flight, share what we learned with others, and improve on our LITTLE OWL prototype design and processing architecture. The short duration of the campaign, low budget, and NASA’s minimal project overhead (inperson reviews every 4 months) really helped our team focus and drive to constantly reduce risk and show demonstrable progress throughout the project.
A smaller, lighter, low-power, less expensive hazard-detection system for landing in low-light conditions will enable more spacecraft to visit scientifically interesting and resource-rich places on the Moon and other surfaces. This has the potential to benefit NASA missions and the commercial space industry.
Future Customers
• Lunar exploration missions
• Martian landers
• Other exploration spacecraft needing to land in low-light conditions
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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