Multi-resolution scanner

The challenge

Tracking small changes in a complex space environment

Life is demanding for humans living and working off-Earth. Food, materials, and other inventory must be tracked; damage monitored and repaired; and emergencies tended to.

As we push forward to the Moon and Mars, astronauts' time will become ever more precious. Limited crews will need to use their time wisely, and some stations, habitats and facilities will not be continuously crewed. Ensuring astronauts know what needs fixing and what is safe will be of the utmost importance.

Additionally, rovers and robots exploring other worlds must navigate complex terrain, sometimes with minimal human input. We must ensure these technologies have accurate information about the landscape around them to make appropriate decisions.

Our response

Fused sensor system for autonomous 3D scanning

In collaboration with Boeing, NASA Ames Research Centre, and the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, we've developed our multi-resolution scanning technology for demonstration on the ISS. This small device combines CSIRO technologies to rapidly create detailed, three-dimensional maps of the surrounding environment. Our experts originally developed this technology for terrestrial remote access applications, such as mine sites.

The payload launched to the ISS on 22 March 2024 and was set inside an Astrobee robot platform. These cube-shaped robots support astronaut activities on the ISS, and the multi-resolution scanner is the first time one piece of technology will use both Astrobee payload bays simultaneously.

The payload is designed to create precise navigation information, a wide-field 3D map of the surroundings and highly detailed 3D point cloud models of the structure it scans. The combination of laser and high-resolution cameras produce a high-definition 3D reconstruction that can be inspected or used to compare data over time.

This first spaceflight test was designed to demonstrate if the models produced by the scanner are capable of supporting inventory analysis and other tasks that typically require human input.

The results

Once onboard the ISS, our multi-resolution scanner conducted a range of experiments, including a full internal scan of the Japanese experimental module (Kibō).

The technology performed even better than we expected. We were able to produce the data, including a wide area map of the Kibō module, high resolution 3D models of regions of interest as well as a precise navigation solution. This demonstrated how sensing and mapping could support robots performing caretaker functions on uncrewed spacecraft.

What's next?

While the scanner will remain onboard the ISS for further testing, we're already thinking about how we can apply what we've learned to future opportunities. For example, potential future uses could include external spacecraft hull integrity scanning, to identify potential damage from micrometeoroid and other impacts.

The multi-resolution scanner could also be deployed on off-world surface missions, such as on rovers or multi-legged robots. There are even opportunities for applications back here on Earth. For example, improving situational awareness for autonomous equipment in mining environments.

This is just another example of how we're translating great science from the ground to orbit and beyond.