Laser Camera System
Encyclopedia
Neptec Design Group
's Laser Camera System (LCS) is short-range, high precision autosynchronous triangulation scanner —– or more simply, a very sensitive, highly accurate 3D scanner. Using a laser to measure the distance between itself and a variety of points on a target, the LCS is able to re-create an exact three-dimensional replica of the area it has scanned.
First demonstrated on the Shuttle Discovery Mission STS-105
in August 2001, Neptec’s prototype LCS was the first dual target tracking and imaging three-dimensional scanner to fly in space. It wasn’t until 2004, after the Space Shuttle Columbia
tragedy
that the LCS became a primary focus to both Neptec and NASA.
To ensure the safety of future missions, NASA required a means to determine the amount of damage —– if any —– sustained by a shuttle during the launch phase. In response to this requirement, Neptec Design Group developed the Laser Camera System (LCS) —– in just 14 months, on time, and without complication. The LCS made its first mission in July 2005 on NASA’s STS-114
Return to Flight shuttle mission and is now a mandatory system for every shuttle mission.
The LCS is part of a larger sensor system that is installed on a 50-foot boom extension that provides additional reach for the Remote Manipulator System or Canadarm. This Orbiter Boom Sensor System
(OBSS) is used to inspect areas of the shuttle that were once invisible to the astronauts inside. The LCS is used to scan and characterize the underside of the shuttle while in orbit. While looking at the shuttle’s tiles and panels from the height of a first story window, Neptec’s scanner is able to detect cracks less than a millimeter thick! Because it is a 3D scanner, it is also able to discover the depth of cracks or holes that are found. The scanner then sends these measurements to Earth where the data can be analyzed in detail by Neptec engineers in NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. During STS-114, critical on-orbit data was often processed and in the hands of the Space Shuttle mission managers within an hour of being collected on orbit.
Neptec’s LCS will continue to fly as an operational part of the OBSS on every Space Shuttle Mission.
Neptec LCS Missions:
See also Space Shuttle Missions
Neptec Design Group
Neptec Design Group is an Ottawa based, Canadian vision systems company, providing machine vision solutions for space, industrial, and military applications. Privately owned and founded in 1990, Neptec is a NASA prime contractor, supplying operational systems to both the Space Shuttle and...
's Laser Camera System (LCS) is short-range, high precision autosynchronous triangulation scanner —– or more simply, a very sensitive, highly accurate 3D scanner. Using a laser to measure the distance between itself and a variety of points on a target, the LCS is able to re-create an exact three-dimensional replica of the area it has scanned.
First demonstrated on the Shuttle Discovery Mission STS-105
STS-105
STS-105 was a mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station, launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 10 August 2001. This mission was Discoverys final mission until STS-114, because Discovery was grounded for a refit, and then all Shuttles were grounded in the wake...
in August 2001, Neptec’s prototype LCS was the first dual target tracking and imaging three-dimensional scanner to fly in space. It wasn’t until 2004, after the Space Shuttle Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before being destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. All seven crew...
tragedy
Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when shortly before it was scheduled to conclude its 28th mission, STS-107, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the death of all seven crew members...
that the LCS became a primary focus to both Neptec and NASA.
To ensure the safety of future missions, NASA required a means to determine the amount of damage —– if any —– sustained by a shuttle during the launch phase. In response to this requirement, Neptec Design Group developed the Laser Camera System (LCS) —– in just 14 months, on time, and without complication. The LCS made its first mission in July 2005 on NASA’s STS-114
STS-114
-Original crew:This mission was to carry the Expedition 7 crew to the ISS and bring home the Expedition 6 crew. The original crew was to be:-Mission highlights:...
Return to Flight shuttle mission and is now a mandatory system for every shuttle mission.
The LCS is part of a larger sensor system that is installed on a 50-foot boom extension that provides additional reach for the Remote Manipulator System or Canadarm. This Orbiter Boom Sensor System
Orbiter Boom Sensor System
The Orbiter Boom Sensor System is a 50-foot boom carried on board NASA's Space Shuttles. The boom can be grappled by the Canadarm and serves as an extension of the arm, doubling its length to a combined total of 100 feet...
(OBSS) is used to inspect areas of the shuttle that were once invisible to the astronauts inside. The LCS is used to scan and characterize the underside of the shuttle while in orbit. While looking at the shuttle’s tiles and panels from the height of a first story window, Neptec’s scanner is able to detect cracks less than a millimeter thick! Because it is a 3D scanner, it is also able to discover the depth of cracks or holes that are found. The scanner then sends these measurements to Earth where the data can be analyzed in detail by Neptec engineers in NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. During STS-114, critical on-orbit data was often processed and in the hands of the Space Shuttle mission managers within an hour of being collected on orbit.
Neptec’s LCS will continue to fly as an operational part of the OBSS on every Space Shuttle Mission.
Neptec LCS Missions:
| Mission | Date | Orbiter |
|---|---|---|
| STS 114 (Return to Flight) | Discovery Space Shuttle Discovery Space Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011... |
July 26, 2005 |
| STS 121 | Atlantis Space Shuttle Atlantis The Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired Space Shuttle orbiter in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the United States... |
July 4, 2006 |
| STS 115 | Discovery Space Shuttle Discovery Space Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011... |
September 9, 2006 |
| STS 116 | Atlantis Space Shuttle Atlantis The Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired Space Shuttle orbiter in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the United States... |
December 9, 2006 |
| STS 117 | Discovery Space Shuttle Discovery Space Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011... |
June 8, 2007 |
| STS 118 | Endeavour Space Shuttle Endeavour Space Shuttle Endeavour is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States. Endeavour was the fifth and final spaceworthy NASA space shuttle to be built, constructed as a replacement for Challenger... |
August 8, 2007 |
See also Space Shuttle Missions