Probabilistic surface characterization for safe landing hazard detection and avoidance (HDA)

US9141113B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Tonislav Ivanov · Brooklyn, US
• Andres David Huertas · Santa Clara, US
• Andrew Johnson · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 26, 2012
• Grant date: Sep 22, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/933
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, computer programs and methods for performing hazard detection and avoidance for landing vehicles are provided. Hazard assessment takes into consideration the geometry of the lander. Safety probabilities are computed for a plurality of pixels in a digital elevation map. The safety probabilities are combined for pixels associated with one or more aim points and orientations. A worst case probability value is assigned to each of the one or more aim points and orientations.