Autonomous rendevous and docking system for space vehicles

摘要

The rendevous and docking system uses a reflective target (26) which is responsive to radiation of a given wavelength and a sensor device (12) for transmitting and receiving radiation of this wavelength and a second wavelength, with conversion of the reflected radiation from the target into two images, corresponding to the different wavelengths. The two images are subtracted from one another to provide a third image encompassing the target reflection image and a false reflection image, with subsequent identification of the target reflection image and determination of the relative position of the target. Pref. the target employs three retroreflectors and a cooperating background.