Bioinspired Optical Sensor for Remote Measurement of Small Displacements at a Distance.

Susan Frost,Leslie Yates,Hiroyuki Kumagai

doi:10.3390/biomimetics3040034

Abstract

Identifying appropriate sites for landing a spacecraft or building permanent structures is critical for extraterrestrial exploration. By tracking the movement of land masses and structures on a planetary surface, scientists can better predict issues that could affect the integrity of the site or structures. A lightweight, low-cost, low-power bioinspired optical sensor is being developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center to remotely measure small displacements of land masses on either side of a fault. This paper describes the sensor, which is inspired by the compound eye vision system found in many insects, and the algorithms developed to estimate displacement. The results are presented for indoor and outdoor tests using the sensor to measure the displacement of a specially designed target that is located 0.35, 6, and 30 m from the sensor and is moved 10 mm to the left and right of a centered position, simulating the displacement of land masses on either side of a fault. Measurement uncertainties estimates were a few tenths of a millimeter when the target was located 0.35 and 6 m from the sensor. At the 30 m distance, corrections were required to obtain accuracies in the order of 1 mm.

Highlights

Identifying appropriate sites for landing a spacecraft or building permanent structures is critical for extraterrestrial exploration, including asteroids, moons, and planets
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has suggested that “advancements in additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, may make it possible to use regolith harvested on the Moon, Mars and its moons, and asteroids to construct habitation elements on extraterrestrial surfaces, such as living quarters and storage facilities” [1]
Identifying appropriate sites for landing a spacecraft or building permanent structures is critical for the exploration of planetary bodies, including asteroids, moons, and planets

Summary

Introduction

Identifying appropriate sites for landing a spacecraft or building permanent structures is critical for extraterrestrial exploration, including asteroids, moons, and planets. By tracking the movement of land masses or structures on a planetary surface, scientists can better predict issues that could affect the integrity and safety of the site or the structures. If a landing site or structure is located near a fault, scientists will need to monitor the movement of land on either side of the fault to assess the hazard of the fault. Environmental conditions on extraterrestrial surfaces are vastly different than conditions found on Earth, scientists and engineers will need to closely monitor structures built in these uncertain environments for movement that could signify support or structural issues. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has suggested that “advancements in additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, may make it possible to use regolith harvested on the Moon, Mars and its moons, and asteroids to construct habitation elements on extraterrestrial surfaces, such as living quarters and storage facilities” [1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion