A spaceborne laser radar (LADAR) was configured to meet the requirements for rendezvous and docking with a cooperative object in synchronous orbit. The LADAR, configurated using existing pulsed CO2 laser technology and a 1980 system technology baseline, is well suited for the envisioned space tug missions. The performance of a family of candidate LADARS was analyzed. Tradeoff studies as a function of size, weight, and power consumption were carried out for maximum ranges of 50, 100, 200, and 300 nautical miles. The investigation supports the original contention that a rendezvous and docking LADAR can be constructed to offer a cost effective and reliable solution to the envisioned space missions. In fact, the CO2 ladar system offers distinct advantages over other candidate systems. (Author)
Laser Space Rendezvous and Docking Tradeoff
1974
134 pages
Report
No indication
English
Laser space rendezvous and docking system tradeoff study
Tema Archive | 1975
|Laser space rendezvous and docking trade-off
Tema Archive | 1974
Rendezvous and Docking for Space Exploration
NTRS | 2005
|