Two images of the same front steps: one taken with a camera and the other with a flash imaging 'lidar', the laser equivalent of radar, under development for future space missions.

This image was acquired by the CECILE prototype lidar, developed with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology, CESM, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, FBK, in Italy, Visitech in Norway and the German Aerospace Center, DLR.

Lidar stands for 'light detection and ranging', with a pulsed laser beam scanning targets by measuring the time it takes for the light to bounce back. The wavelength of light is so much shorter than that of radio waves - measured in billionths of a metre rather than centimetres - that lidar provides much more precise measurements. On Earth lidar is employed widely for autonomous vehicles, helping them to judge distance and identify obstacles.

Flash imaging lidar means the 3D image of the target is generated in one single shot from a 2D grid of detecting elements, in contrast to the traditional scanning approach based on moving parts. The result is a faster acquisition time, with decreased sensitivity to vibration or target motion - and lower mass and volume making it easier to embark in space.

ESA is interested in lidar technology to acquire high-resolution views of landing zones on the Moon or other planets, or to assist with orbital docking manoeuvres baselined for the international Mars Sample Return endeavour.

Related Links
CECILE Prototype Lidar at ESA
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Stanford engineers combine light and sound to see underwater
Stanford CA (SPX) Dec 01, 2020
Stanford University engineers have developed an airborne method for imaging underwater objects by combining light and sound to break through the seemingly impassable barrier at the interface of air and water. The researchers envision their hybrid optical-acoustic system one day being used to conduct drone-based biological marine surveys from the air, carry out large-scale aerial searches of sunken ships and planes, and map the ocean depths with a similar speed and level of detail as Earth's landsc ... read more