Continuous wave (CW) diode laser instrumentation for rendezvous and docking maneuvers in geosynchronous orbits
Abstract
A rendezvous and docking (RVD) laser radar system onboard a chaser spacecraft is described. The target spacecraft is equipped with several docking ports and retroreflectors. The RVD procedure from the initial target acquisition until docking, including methods of measuring range, velocity, relative orientation between chaser and target, docking port identification, and field of view explosion during the last meters is summarized. The problems of receiver background and signal dynamics are discussed and results of theoretical performance calculations, including results for a video communications link between chaser and target spacecraft are given. Replacing the mechanical scan mirrors with an all-solid state acousto-optical deflection device is considered.
- Publication:
-
Space Laser Applications and Technology
- Pub Date:
- May 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984slat.reptU....S
- Keywords:
-
- Continuous Wave Lasers;
- Earth Orbital Rendezvous;
- Geosynchronous Orbits;
- Laser Range Finders;
- Rangefinding;
- Spacecraft Docking;
- Target Acquisition;
- Acousto-Optics;
- Avalanche Diodes;
- Field Of View;
- Frequency Modulation;
- Optical Communication;
- Satellite-To-Satellite Tracking;
- Signal Processing;
- Signal To Noise Ratios;
- Solid State Devices;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation