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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
Recent simulation and analysis have shown that the Smartphone Video Guidance Sensor (SVGS), when integrated with a typical suite of landing sensors, can improve lunar landing accuracy from 100 meters down to 20 meters. This project will demonstrate precision landing of a hexacopter, which will carry the SVGS sensor, near SVGS targets facing upward on the laboratory floor. SVGS performance will also be benchmarked against other candidate sensors such as off-the-shelf lidar and augmented reality (AR) targets.
This project will prove the feasibility, in a breadboard TRL 4 level demonstration, of an alternative landing sensor for EDL. This sensor is simple, robust, and inexpensive. It will also characterize this sensor's performance against other candidate sensors.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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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