LandingNav: Terrain Guided Automated Precision Landing, Phase II

The Phase I effort successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a terrain guided automated precision landing sensor using an innovative multi-field-of-view stereo motion system with a novel real time terrain mapping algorithm. The objective of the Phase II proposal is to develop a complete prototype and characterize the performance of the LandingNav sensor system in all of the relative motion environments anticipated for the descent of the Lunar Surface Access Module. The result of the Phase II work will be a comprehensive flight characterization of the new landing navigation system and a closed loop demonstration of the multi-camera stereo vision unit working with the feature detection and terrain mapping to avoid hazards.

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.