3-D Docking Sensor Algorithms, Phase I

Michigan Aerospace Corporation has been funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) over the past several years to investigate on-orbit satellite docking and servicing technology. One of the key technologies required for all of those operations (rendezvous, docking, and inspection) is the sensor. For rendezvous and docking, the guidance sensor(s) must measure bearing angle, separation, closing rate, and the six degree of freedom (6-DOF) orientation between the two spacecraft. Currently, multiple sensors are required to measure these variables under limited dynamic conditions. Michigan Aerospace Corporation proposes to take one of the steps in establishing the feasibility of using the Sandia Scannerless Laser Radar (SLR) as an end-to-end rendezvous, docking and inspection sensor. This Phase I effort will focus on developing a methodology and preliminary algorithms for processing the range data to extract information about a target spacecraft, such as position, orientation and rates. Sensor performance requirements, hardware development and risks will also be assessed.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.