Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Ian J Gravseth

Christian J Grund

Ronald P Earhart

Reuben R Rohrschneider

Robert F Arentz

Carl S Weimer

Rex M Craig

Jeffrey J Bladt

Xiaopei Huang

Methods and systems for passively slowing the spin rate of an uncontrolled object in space are presented. A damper mechanism is provided that includes a magnet that is free to rotate in any direction about a central point with respect to a carrier or outer housing. The magnet can be carried within an inner element or sphere, that is in turn mounted within an outer sphere. The inner and outer spheres can be separated by a viscous fluid or other mechanism in which damping can be introduced. The damper mechanism can be associated with an attachment mechanism, that secures the resulting damper or despin system to a target object. A method of neutralizing the magnetic field is also included to enable the system to be launched in a passive state.

Method and apparatus for passively slowing the spin rate of orbital objects

The present invention pertains to the identification of a set of measurement data, using an a priori model database, which is then used in the determination of a pose solution using LADAR data. In particular, a model database of a target scene is created. The model database includes location information for a plurality of points within the target scene, and separation distances between sets of those points defining triangles. LADAR data obtained from a target scene is processed to extract features. Location information and separation distances between sets of extracted features defining triangles are placed in a measurement database. Separation distances contained in the measurement database are compared to separation distances contained in the model database. If a match is found, a rotation quaternion and translation vector are calculated, to transform the data in the measurement database into the frame of reference of the data in the model database. The rotation quaternion and translation vector can be applied to additional sets of data defining additional triangles, to verify that the target scene has been correctly identified. A pose solution and range can then be output.

Method and apparatus for LIDAR target identification and pose estimation

The present invention pertains in general to a single, integrated flash LADAR system and method. The system includes data processing hardware and software, a passive two-dimensional camera, a three-dimensional camera, a light source, and a common optical path. One or more star trackers can also be included. In addition, auxiliary components, such as an inertial measurement unit and a global positioning system receiver can be included. The system can be closely integrated with a critical algorithm suite that operates in multiple modes, in real-time to enable landing, docking, and navigation functions, such as Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Altimetry, Velocimetry, Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), Hazard Detection and Avoidance (HDA), and dust penetration.

Flash LADAR system

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Ian J Gravseth