Flash LiDAR Development for Space Rendezvous

Abstract

Flash LiDAR is a relative navigation sensor that irradiates a target with pulsed laser light and then detects the reflected light to measure intensity, direction, and distance as a time of flight. We are developing “Flash LiDAR” for a space rendezvous. It employs a 3D image sensor that has a multi-pixel photon counter with photon-counting sensitivity and a readout IC with sub-nanosecond time of flight resolution. We conducted a feasibility study with a breadboard model to confirm it could satisfy functional and performance requirements of the HTV-X berthing mission, under limited configurations entailing a short range, a narrow field of view, and no relative position/attitude rate. We then obtained excellent performance results that satisfy the requirements of the HTV-X berthing mission. In this paper, we describe an overview and the features of our Flash LiDAR, the results of preliminary design and breadboard model tests, and the applicability to future space exploration missions.