Perspective
Lonely search for a landing site
The Moon is getting closer and closer. Instead of human eyes, a camera looks out for
distinctive landmarks to orient the spacecraft and find a safe place to land. Its
software must draw the correct conclusions from what it sees. The trip to Earth and
back for a radio signal will take too long. Long before a spacecraft approaches a
body in space, the final descent will be simulated in the laboratory. Here, a scale,
three-dimensional image of the Moon plays the part of the planned target of the
exploration mission; a spotlight simulates the Sun, so the shadows can be depicted
realistically. The camera plays the lead role. Together with its software, it must
determine where exactly the spacecraft is and where it can land. Here, Hans Krüger,
Head of the TRON (Testbed for Robotic Optical Navigation) laboratory at the DLR
Institute of Space Systems in Bremen, only has a secondary role.
PERSPECTIVE
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