Neptec Wins $1.7M Contract to Design Space Station Vision System

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded Neptec Design Group Ltd. of Ottowa, Ontario, a $1.7 million contract to design a vision system for inspection and maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS).

CSA said the system which will be launched in 2020. It will use a combination of three sensors: a 3D lidar system, an HD camera and an IR camera.

In addition to the natural aging of the ISS's materials, the station is regularly hit by small meteorites and orbital debris. Roughly the size of a microwave oven, the vision system will reveal damage the naked eye cannot detect or that is located in hard-to-reach areas.

Dextre, a CSA robot on board the ISS, will use the system to inspect external surfaces for signs of damage. In addition to inspection, the system will also assist in docking of spacecraft visiting the station.

Spinoffs of the 3D lidar and IR camera technologies used in Neptec's vision system could be used to increase mining productivity, to ensure safer operation of subsea oil and gas infrastructure, and for guiding self-driving vehicles, said CEO Paul Nephin.

There are 438 suppliers of Cameras in the Photonics Marketplace.

LightPath Technologies - Germanium Alternative1-25 MR

About Lumibird Canada

Published: January 2016

Glossary

machine vision: Machine vision, also known as computer vision or computer sight, refers to the technology that enables machines, typically computers, to interpret and understand visual information from the world, much like the human visual system. It involves the development and application of algorithms and systems that allow machines to acquire, process, analyze, and make decisions based on visual data. Key aspects of machine vision include: Image acquisition: Machine vision systems use various...
lidar: Lidar, short for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape and characteristics of objects and surfaces. Lidar systems typically consist of a laser scanner, a GPS receiver, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), all integrated into a single system. Here is how lidar works: Laser emission: A laser emits laser pulses, often in the form of rapid and repetitive laser...

Browse Cameras & Imaging, Lasers, Optical Components, Test & Measurement, and more.