Autonomous Rendezvous

MDA's heritage in autonomous rendezvous systems includes flight qualified cameras, lights, scanning lidar (in partnership with Optech) and vision software/avionics. Such intelligent vision systems enable reliable and autonomous orbital rendezvous with unprepared (or "targetless") spacecraft under severe lighting conditions. MDA's 3D Scanning Lidar Rendezvous Sensor was recently launched in April 2005 on the Air Force Research Lab's XSS-11 Flight Mission.

Autonomous Servicing

Through the DARPA Orbital Express Program, MDA is demonstrating autonomous, unmanned satellite capture and robotic servicing capabilities. The Orbital Express Program is expected to usher in a new revolution in space operations to support military, civil and commercial applications. MDA will also set the robotics interface standards for future satellite servicing missions.