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\u201cPurpose: Demonstrate Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) sensor technology that does not require cooperative targets.TriDAR provides 6 degree of freedom relative position and attitude without using reflectors. Operates by matching 3D data from a LIDAR to the known shape of the ISS,\u201d noted Neptec\u2019s STS-135 TriDAR presentation (L2).<\/p>\n
\u201cA Thermal imager is used to provide guidance data for long range operations. All tracking performed and displayed to the crew in real-time. Fully automatic target acquisition (no external seed). Enabling technology required for future exploration activities (satellite servicing, non-cooperative, tumbling targets etc).\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/A337.jpg\" "\\"A3\\"")
Its performance with Atlantis during rendezvous was impressive, with the TriDAR-created video of the acquisition of the International Space Station, showing how the system tracked the orbital outpost from 34km out, all the way through to Atlantis\u2019 docking.<\/p>\nArguably more impressive was the footage from the undocking and half lap flyaround of the Station, with TriDAR operated in imaging mode.<\/p>\n
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Given real-time tracking of undock and flyaround had already been previously performed during STS-131, the Neptec TriDAR team took the unique opportunity to produce 3D and thermal movies of the last Shuttle based ISS flyaround operation.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/A107.jpg\" "\\"A10\\"")
\u201cImaging mode constantly acquires 3D point cloud and thermal imager data. Acquired 3D data and range to centroid was displayed to the crew in real-time. Data collected can be used post flight to test algorithm enhancements and support system simulation validation.\u201d<\/p>\nNeptec noted that the 3D Triangulation and LIDAR Laser Range images were collected simultaneously, utilizing a triangulation subsystem based on OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) LCS (Laser Camera System) technology.<\/p>\n
The system worked so well that Commander Chris Ferguson took time during the undocking and flyaround phase to pass on thanks to the TriDAR team, before CAPCOM noted they were most likely listening in live \u2013 as they were.<\/p>\n
STS-135 Specific Articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/sts-135\/<\/p>\n
\u201cThermal Imager Data: Intended for longer range operation. Can generate \u201cstar tracker\u201d type bearing data day or night. Acquired ISS images throughout undock and flyaround. Excellent performance from new shutter and IR camera. Collected ~1500 Thermal images,\u201d added the presentation.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/A1115.jpg\" "\\"A11\\"")
\u201cVideo Summary: All thermal images collected automatically. IR camera performed periodic self-calibration using internal shutter. 640\u00d7480 native resolution. Color coded to enhance visuals (red warm, blue cold).\u201d<\/p>\nTriDAR has applications beyond rendezvous and docking, with short and long-range sensing capabilities. The system is being developed as a navigation system for lunar rovers, vehicle inspection, and will enable helicopter pilots to land in inhospitable and obscured environments.<\/p>\n
However, an already confirmed role will be with Orbital\u2019s Cygnus vehicle, which is tasked with carrying out cargo runs to the ISS from next year as part of the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to be a part of this exciting next step of space exploration,\u201d said Mike Kearns, Neptec VP for Space Exploration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our operations on STS-135 wrapping up, we are proud to say TriDAR exceeded our expectations on its three separate shuttle flights and we are pleased to announce that the system will be an integral part of the ISS fleet of resupply vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/A1312.jpg\" "\\"A13\\"")
The Cygnus advanced maneuvering spacecraft is being developed by Orbital to conduct eight missions by 2015, carrying approximately 20,000 kg of cargo to the ISS as well as disposal of ISS waste.<\/p>\nIt will ride uphill on the Orbital Taurus II launch vehicle from its Wallops launch site.<\/p>\n
The Cygnus system is based on heritage from Orbital and its partners\u2019 existing, flight-proven spacecraft technologies. The spacecraft consists of a common service module and a pressurized cargo module. Cygnus will carry crew supplies, spares and scientific experiments to the ISS.<\/p>\n
The pressurized cargo module is based the on the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), developed by Thales Alenia Space for NASA, a common payload to be featured in shuttle missions \u2013 with the shuttle tested TriDAR now added to the list, a legacy respected by Neptec.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/A7101.jpg\" "\\"A710\\"")
\u201cThe TriDAR program is a textbook example of what can be done when government and the private sector work together,\u201d said Neptec president and CEO Iain Christie.<\/p>\n\u201cIt is bittersweet for all of us involved with the space program as we wrap up the Shuttle era, which has been a central part of our lives.<\/p>\n
\u201c(However,) this announcement shows we are taking our knowledge and experience from that program and continuing to make important contributions to the Space Station and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
To read about Atlantis and her sisters \u2013 from birth, processing, every single mission, through to retirement, click here for the links:
\nhttp:\/\/forum.nasaspaceflight.com\/index.php?topic=25837.0<\/p>\nClick here for the amazing MaxQ Entertainment STS-135 Mission Review Music Video:
\nhttp:\/\/forum.nasaspaceflight.com\/index.php?topic=26178.0<\/p>\n(Images: Via L2, Neptec and Orbital. Further articles on Atlantis will be produced during her down processing, driven by L2\u2032s STS-135 Special Section which is continuing to folow the mission at MMT\/MER level through to post flight IFA, surrounded by a wealth of FRR\/PRCB\/MER\/MMT and SSP documentation\/pressentations, videos, images and more.<\/p>\n
(As with all recent missions, L2 is providing full exclusive level mission coverage, available no where else on the internet. To join L2, click here: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/l2\/)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Adding to the long list that is her legacy, Atlantis\u2019 successful final test of Neptec\u2019s TriDAR rendezvous and docking system has resulted in Orbital completing a deal to use high tech sensors on their Cygnus spacecraft. With the orbiter\u2019s also testing DragonEye for SpaceX\u2019s Dragon spacecraft, the two commercial vehicles will \u201cTally Ho\u201d the ISS […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29581,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[639,233,7577,9170],"class_list":["post-40369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-cygnus","tag-iss","tag-orbital","tag-sts135"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40369"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40369"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40369\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}