The Detect and Avoid capabilities of the proposed concept are directly applicable to the NASA desired use of autonomous UAS operating at high altitude for earth sciences missions (reference SBIR Topic S3.04). The simultaneous capabilities for high resolution 3D imagers from a wide area surveillance system can be exploited in several types of space operations such as a) docking where the fully eye safe feature of the laser being used in ACASS can eliminate human safety concerns for operations with the ISS or other manned platforms), b) landing operations on planets/asteroids/comets, and c) improving planetary surface navigation providing detect and object avoid enhancements thru 3D imaging.
Autonomous operations of Unmanned Ariel Systems (UAS) is the National Air Space is a recognized need across the spectrum of US, State, and Local government organizations for such needs as ariel system testing and development, crop surveys, surface mapping, border security, and police anti-crime operations. These needs extend directly into the civil and commercial sectors of the US economy. The wide area surveillance capability of ACASS is directly applicable to physical security of high value infrastructure such as power stations, transportation nodes, and commercial, civil, and military facilities. The ACASS systems 3D imaging capability enables real-time detection, classification, and alerting of potentially threatening activities near critical facilities. Its fully eye safe operation enables deployment in populated areas.
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