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Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN)

Completed TRL 7 (started at 5, targeting 7)

Description

TRN is a key part of the MARS 2020 Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) subsystem designed to provide the capability to avoid large scale landing hazards during the entry, descent and landing (EDL) phase of the mission. TRN uses images gathered during descent to identify surface features and match them to orbital images to identify where the vehicle is and avoid pre-identified landing hazards. Additionally the technology will allow the vehicle to identify key science targets and land near those targets thus significantly reducing required surface traverse after landing.

Benefits

The technology developed under the TRN project will be key to future human and robotic missions by enabling safe access to scientifically compelling landing sites and providing surface processing capability to support surface mobility and autonomy.

Details

Technology areaGN&C > Navigation Technologies > Onboard Navigation Algorithms
ProgramTechnology Demonstration Missions (TDM)
Lead organizationJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date2016-10-01
End date2021-04-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

How to get involved

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.