Page 117 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

Transportation Technology

Combustion science is one of the longest-running fields of research on the International Space Station
(ISS). There is a long-running campaign to understand just how both simple and more-complex fuels
burn in space. Understanding this process in microgravity helps to refine combustion models on
Earth where gravity and turbulent buoyancy-driven convection flows make this process too difficult to
model. Recent observations on the ISS have shown that a phenomenon known as “cool flames” can
be witnessed in the combustion chambers in orbit to understand how lower temperature burning could
have significant applications toward more efficient fuel use and new combustion engine designs in the
future. Vehicle docking technology used for the ISS is finding applications in fields where advanced
sensors and robotics are used for safety improvements.

Automating a Better Rendezvous TriDAR was specifically designed for missions that
in Space require high levels of autonomy, such as planetary
rovers and satellite servicing. The hardware and
Safe, reliable and affordable commercial access algorithms provide maximum operational flexibility,
for research aboard the ISS is a critical component thereby allowing the sensor to adapt to rendezvous
of the ISS Partnership. Partnerships with cargo and docking with different targets and approach
transportation services make this access possible, profiles, even after launch. TriDAR uses a laser-based
and other partnerships continue to provide 3-D sensor and, optionally, a thermal imager to collect
technological advances to improve it.
3-D data of its target. Software compares the image
One such advance, Triangulation & Light Detection and to the known shape of a target spacecraft and
Ranging Automated Rendezvous & Docking (TriDAR), calculates relative range, rates, and position between
is an automated rendezvous and docking sensor with the spacecraft and docking station.
a long-range Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) This technology, tested on three Space Shuttle
system. LiDAR uses a pulsed laser beam to measure missions, now serves as a rendezvous and docking
variable distances to an object, combining this with sensor for Orbital ATK’s (now Northrop Grumman
other data to generate precise, three-dimensional Innovation Systems) Cygnus spacecraft cargo resupply
(3-D) information about the shape and surface missions to the space station. An optional thermal
characteristics of the object.
imager provides extended range tracking and short-
TriDAR can collect 3-D images up to 5 km (3.1 m) range guidance, and multiple hardware configurations
and can be applied over a wide range of applications support different mission types. The automated system
including rendezvous and docking, mapping, allows Cygnus to approach the ISS and position itself
navigation and hazard avoidance. Using a patented for capture by the space station’s robotic arm. TriDAR
optical design, TriDAR can collect data anywhere guides the final rendezvous phase, from a maximum
within a 60-degree by 45-degree field of view. range of approximately 1 km to final capture location at
Created by Neptec Design Group/ MacDonald about 10 meters (32 ft). Space station crew members
Dettwiler and Associates (https://neptec.com/), then grapple the vehicle with the space station’s
robotic arm and connect it to an ISS node port.
Neptec Design Group, Ltd., a Canadian spaceflight
engineering company founded in 1990, develops
Safe, reliable and affordable intelligent spaceflight sensors, payloads, instruments
and equipment for the space market, and has
commercial access for research been a NASA and Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
aboard the ISS is a critical prime contractor since 1995. Founded in 2011,
Neptec Design Group focuses on migration of these
component of NASA’s mission. technologies to terrestrial markets and is a leading
manufacturer of real-time 3-D LiDAR scanners for
robotics and autonomous systems.

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