Aloft Sensing Inc. (Aloft) proposes to adapt and establish the feasibility of our scalable Radar Vision Systems (RVS) for operation on solar system bodies. RVS consist of state-of-the-art multichannel mm-wave radars coupled with our patent-pending position, navigation, and timing algorithms (AloftPNT). Demonstrated through simulations and field experiments, these systems achieve both accurate self-contained navigation and high-resolution perception sensing. Our navigation approach utilizes the radar signals themselves to achieve micon levels of relative positional accuracy and constrain the drift associated with onboard IMUs. This provides accurate navigation over long durations without external support infrastructure. The precision position updates further maximize radar coherence to enable high-performance imaging (centimetric resolutions) and advanced interferometrics (e.g., height profiles of obstacles), both from a single platform and across distributed platforms. The latter is achieved via AloftPNT’s intrinsic ability to establish precise relative positioning and timing between vehicles operating in coordination. Together, RVS’s navigation and sensing capabilities provide an effective tool for mobility of surface and aerial vehicles operating autonomously in new environments. Because RF signals easily penetrate dust and atmospheric percipatates that obscure other sensing modalities, they are particularly applicable to exploring planetary surfaces. To establish the feasibility of applying RVS to the planetary domain, Aloft proposes to 1) simulate AloftPNT performance in relevant scenarios, 2) adapt RVS and AloftPNT based on these simulations, 3) demonstrate operation with our mm-wave testbed, 4) update the hardware designs for the space environment, and 5) establish a Phase 2 implementation and test plan. The end result is an RVS architecture tailored specifically for robotic mobility on solar system bodies that is ready for further development on a Phase 2.

The Aloft radar vision system technologies demonstrated in this effort support improved mobility for all vehicles, including rovers and legged and airborne platforms for Lunar/planetary and small body exploration. RVS and AloftPNT can also provide accurate navigation for crewed and small uncrewed aerial systems that host sensors for collecting Earth science data in support of key NASA objectives. The mesh nature of Aloft’s innovations enable the coordination of swarms of vehicles which can transform robotic exploration in all domains.

Broader applications of Aloft radar vision system technologies include commercial robot mobility, assisted driving, and drone navigation. Scaled to larger platforms, RVS and AloftPNT allow airlines/aircraft to navigate effectively without the aid of GPS. The sensors developed in this effort are based on low-cost commercial technologies, allowing broad market adaptation.