Digital image system for determining relative position and motion of in-flight vehicles
US5493392A · kind A · utility
65Cited by
5References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The system includes a reflector assembly mounted on a first one of a pair of spacecraft. The reflector assembly includes a mirror around which are positioned a mirror and retroreflectors. A light source mounted on the second spacecraft illuminates the assembly the reflections from which are directed into a radiometer which is also mounted on the second spacecraft. The mirror has a known curvature, and the known curvature in conjunction with the retroreflectors allow calculation of the position and motion parameters of the first spacecraft relative to the second.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.