Videometer rendezvous sensor for the first in-flight automatic docking of ATV to the ISS

Paper number

IAC-08.C1.8.4

Author

Mr. Julien Ouaknine, EADS-Sodern, France

Coauthor

Mr. Ludovic Blarre, EADS-Sodern, France

Coauthor

Mr. Nicolas Perrimon, EADS-Sodern, France

Coauthor

Mrs. Carole MOUSSU, EADS-Sodern, France

Coauthor

Mr. Yves KOCHER, EADS-Sodern, France

Coauthor

Mr. Stein Strandmoe, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Paul Da Cunha, EADS Astrium, France

Year

2008

Abstract

In March 2008, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket, and will dock to the International Space Station (ISS). The ATV, which is an ESA program developed by Astrium-ST as prime contractor, will deliver up to 9 tons of supplies, payload and propellant and provide during 6 months reboost and attitude control for the ISS. The docking will be realized thanks to various attitude and orbit instruments, among which the Videometer (VDM) developed by Sodern. This rendezvous optical sensor is the main support to the final approach of the ATV to the ISS. It delivers range and line-of-sight angles to the GNC system from 300m to docking, and from within 30m, relative attitude angles with a great accuracy. At short distance, the accuracy on range is a few centimeters, the accuracy on line of sight and attitude is some tenth of degrees.

The VDM operating principle is based on laser diodes located on the VDM, illuminating a rendezvous target on the ISS. This target is composed of several laser retro reflectors, which make a specific recognizable pattern. The Videometer detects the reflected laser beams like a digital camera, and implements pattern recognition and objects tracking algorithms, in order to estimate range, line of sight and attitude information. The robustness of the sensor is a key point of the system, and the VDM can operate properly even with the Sun in the field of view, and during proton hits when the spacecraft is crossing the South Atlantic Anomaly.

This paper will first recall the VDM characteristics, and then present the in-flight data analysis for the first ATV named Jules Verne, during the final approach to the ISS. Thanks to this in-flight qualification, the Videometer may also be considered onboard any spacecraft to ease an automatic rendezvous and docking.

Abstract document

IAC-08.C1.8.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.C1.8.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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