Stereo, high-resolution and thermal camera design for integration into the I3DS sensor suite for future robotics missions

Paper number

IAC-18,D3,3,11,x48370

Author

Dr. Chris van Dijk, The Netherlands, Cosine Research BV

Coauthor

Dr. Marco Esposito, The Netherlands, Cosine Research BV

Coauthor

Mr. Simon Silvio Conticello, The Netherlands, Cosine Research BV

Year

2018

Abstract

I3DS is an Integrated 3D Sensors suite with the goal of becoming a reusable infrastructure component by providing future robotic missions with a standardised suite of sensors. I3DS is comprised of multiple building blocks that can be customised for a particular use case, all the while presenting a standardised interface to the platform by utilising smart sensors and providing integrated pre-processing of sensor data. The orbital use-case investigates the autonomous rendezvous and capture of a spacecraft, either for on-orbit servicing with a cooperative satellite or for debris removal with a non-cooperative object. The planetary use-case focuses on the ground exploration of celestial bodies such as Mars or the Moon.

To this end, cosine Measurement Systems BV is supplying three vision-based sensor systems for the I3DS suite: a stereo camera system in the VNIR range, itself comprised of two camera heads; a high-resolution VNIR camera; and a thermal infrared camera in the 8 $\mu$m to 14 $\mu$m range. The stereo camera is capable of providing detailed 3D imagery, disparity mapping and point clouds. The high-resolution camera can be coupled with pattern projection to provide depth information of the target. The thermal camara can be utilised for both GNC and science use cases. The information from all three camera systems is integrated in a customised data fusion algorithm running on the I3DS Instrument Control Unit.

The I3DS project is a consortium of partners, led by Thales Alenia Space France, co-funded under Horizon 2020 EU research and development program and part of the Strategic Research Cluster on Space Robotics Technologies as the Operational Grant number 4 (of 6).

Abstract document

IAC-18,D3,3,11,x48370.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-18,D3,3,11,x48370.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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