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Rover Radar for Surface Navigation, Hazard Detection and Negative Obstacle Avoidance

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNG06LA36C
Agency Tracking Number: 053641
Amount: $69,638.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X1.03
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-01-24
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2006-07-24
Small Business Information
396 Fenton Lane, Suite 601
West Chicago, IL 60185-2687
United States
DUNS: 074569385
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Robert Knox
 Principal Investigator
 (630) 293-7118
 bobk@epsilonlambda.com
Business Contact
 Robert Knox
Title: Business Official
Phone: (630) 293-7118
Email: bobk@epsilonlambda.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

In Topic X1.03 NASA (JPL) is seeking to extend and implement long distance exploratory surface rover missions to gain knowledge of surface topology and roughness. The benefit is to identify suitable sites for future landings of human or robotic missions and to aid in pinpoint landings. High resolution millimeter wave radar sensors provide a low cost, reliable way for a Moon or Mars Rover to detect hazards and negative obstacles (i.e. holes and drop-offs) while moving or stationary. A radar sensor is effective as a stand-alone sensor, or as a complement to the stereo vision based and laser line systems used on previous successful rover missions. The low computer overhead and inherently rapid response of a radar sensor enables a rover to rapidly traverse extremely rugged terrain without risk of falling into a hole or being otherwise trapped. The rapid traverse speed provides a wider area for collection of science data, and reduces the fraction of limited mission time spent on moving, as opposed to measurement. The overall objective of the proposed program is to develop a practical rover radar sensor for negative and positive obstacle detection.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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