Accession Number:

AD1098990

Title:

Small-Sat-Ladar Final Report: FY18 Integrated Systems Line-Supported Program

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Other]

Corporate Author:

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Personal Author(s):

• Primmerman, C. A.

Report Date:

2019-02-04

Pagination or Media Count:

33

Abstract:

Airborne 3D imaging ladars such as ALIRT and MACHETE have demonstrated operational utility in Afghanistan and in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. They have been used for mapping Afghanistan is, perhaps, the best mapped country in the world., detecting objects under foliage and camouflage, route planning, change detection, determining vehicle accessibility, identifying helicopter landing zones, and supporting planning for special-forces operations. Extending 3D imaging to space would provide similar capabilities for denied territory. A problem with space systems, of course, is that they can be very large and costly. The objective of the study described in this report was to develop a small-sat-ladar concept that has good performance but reasonably low cost. This study was funded by the Integrated Systems portion of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory MIT LL Line. It was conducted from FY17 through FY18.

Descriptors:

• electric propulsion
• low earth orbits
• detectors
• propulsion systems
• altitude
• focal planes
• optical fiber lasers
• thrusters
• artificial satellites
• earth orbits
• efficiency
• radiation
• space systems
• spacecraft
• hall effect
• hall thrusters
• ion thrusters
• orbits
• solar panels
• change detection

Subject Categories:

• Unmanned Spacecraft
• Active and Passive Radar Detection and Equipment

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]