The Aerospace Corporation

David Cardoza

Henry Helvajian

Terence S Yeoh

Stephen La Lumondiere

Glenn Earl Peterson

John McVey

Joseph Gangestad

Marlon Sorge

Shawn Perdue

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for identifying and tracking objects (e.g., debris, particles, space vehicles, etc.) using one or more light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-based sensors are disclosed. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be particularly beneficial for detecting millimeter scale and/or sub-millimeter scale objects. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be used for detection of objects in space, in the atmosphere, or in the ocean, for example.

Object detection and characterization using a LIDAR-based sensor

Various embodiments are directed to imaging systems and methods for generating an image of a sub-surface feature of an object through a surface of the object. An illumination array may comprise a plurality of illumination sources positioned around the sub-surface feature of the object. An imaging device may comprise an objective. A computer system may be in communication with the illumination array. The computer system may be programmed to calculate an optimized illumination pattern of the plurality of illumination sources for imaging the sub-surface feature; activate the optimized illumination pattern; and instruct the imaging device to capture an image of the sub-surface feature with the imaging device based on reflected illumination from the optimized illumination pattern.

Optimized illumination for imaging

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Los Alamitos, CA, United States of America

David Cardoza