Tessera Technologies’ fully-owned subsidiary DigitalOptics, has provided Ball Aerospace & Technologies (BATC) with essential micro-optic elements for the laser-based vision navigation system (VNS) of the BATC.
The VNS was utilized in the sensor test for orion relative-navigation risk reduction mission (STORRM), a space station docking demonstration done at the final mission of the Endeavour space shuttle launched on May 16, 2011.
The Ball Aerospace VNS, features a laser radar having high-resolution docking camera, which will assist the advancing space shuttles to align with and find the International Space Station, so that the vehicles can dock with effortlessly and securely. The VNS incorporates a beam shaping diffractive optical element (DOE), provided and designed by DigitalOptics for the project. The DOE enhances the positive acquisition range by decreasing wasted beam power and increasing laser beam consistency.
Jim Baer, Ball Aerospace, VNS lead optical engineer said that the diffractive beam shaper from DigitalOptics has ensured that Ball Aerospace is able to cater to its top-priority, optimum-range requirement, and displayed excellent performance for STORRM on Endeavour’s final mission. He added that Ball Aerospace admires the design ability and timely delivery of DigitalOptics.
Bob Roohparvar, President of DigitalOptics said that it it is amazing that the creative micro-optic technology of the company played a role in the Endeavour’s remarkable STS-134 mission. He added that the company’s design and fabrication of advanced optics for volume production or critical applications provide solutions for future designs.
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