TriDAR, or Triangulation and LIDAR Automated Rendezvous and Docking, is a relative navigation vision system developed by Neptec Design Group and funded by the Canadian Space Agency and NASA.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,082 |
11 Facts About TriDAR
2.
TriDAR made its inaugural demonstration space flight on board Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission, launched on 28 August 2009.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,083 |
3.
On STS-128, TriDAR provided astronauts with real-time guidance information during rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,084 |
4.
TriDAR was tested for the first time in Space on board Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-128 mission to the ISS.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,085 |
5.
Once in range of the 3D sensor, TriDAR automatically determined bearing and range to the ISS.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,086 |
6.
TriDAR was again carried on board Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-131 mission to the International Space Station.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,087 |
7.
The TriDAR operated during shuttle rendezvous with the ISS, and acquired useful data up till the shuttle R-bar Pitch Maneuver.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,088 |
8.
TriDAR was on board Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,089 |
9.
TriDAR sensor is a hybrid 3D camera that combines auto-synchronous laser triangulation technology with laser radar in a single optical package.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,090 |
10.
TriDAR can be used for rendezvous and docking, planetary landing, rover navigation, site and vehicle inspection.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,091 |
11.
Once the rover arrived at its destination, TriDAR was used to acquire high resolution 3D images of the surrounding area, searching for ideal drill sites to obtain lunar samples.
| FactSnippet No. 1,604,092 |