LiDAR for Space Navigation and Debris Removal
CSEM SA
Miniaturized flash imaging LiDAR for spacecraft navigation, rendezvous, rover landing and in-orbit servicing — flown on RemoveDEBRIS; under development for ClearSpace-1.
Technical specifications
- Technology
- Flash imaging LiDAR, FMCW ranging
- Resolution
- Sub-millimetre
- Applications
- Spacecraft landing, rendezvous, rover navigation, debris removal, ISR
- Flight heritage
- RemoveDEBRIS in-orbit demonstration (H2020)
- Ongoing programme
- ClearSpace-1 (ESA active debris removal)
- Technology partner
- ClearSpace (Switzerland)
About
CSEM has developed miniaturized flash imaging LiDAR technology originally for space applications including spacecraft landing, rendezvous and proximity operations, rover navigation, and space debris removal. The technology uses FMCW principles to achieve sub-millimetre resolution in distance measurement over relevant operational ranges.
CSEM’s LiDAR was flown as the optical instrument on the H2020-funded RemoveDEBRIS in-orbit demonstration mission, and is under continued development for ClearSpace-1 (ESA’s active debris removal mission) in collaboration with ClearSpace (CEO Luc Piguet). The technology has also been extended to underwater/bathymetric applications through a collaboration with Ifremer, validating its versatility beyond space. Applications include active debris removal, in-orbit servicing, rendezvous/docking guidance, and planetary rover navigation.
Documentation
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