Deployable Rocket Camera for External Spaceflight Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photography during spaceflight is challenging due to the limitations of land-based cameras and onboard cameras, which struggle with distortion, distance, and inability to capture detailed images or videos of spacecraft and astronauts.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous deployable camera (ADC) system that captures images and videos during spaceflight, autonomously lands after separation from the spacecraft, and can transmit or store data for recovery, with features like a parachute for landing and tracking devices for retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If land-based cameras are used to photograph rocket launches, then images can be captured from ground level, but the images are distorted due to atmospheric refraction and lack detail at higher altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into separable components including the camera module, parachute deployment mechanism, and recovery system. The camera can be deployed as an independent unit from the rocket, allowing it to reach optimal positioning distances for clear photography without being constrained by ground-based limitations or rocket-mounted space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
A parachute system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the camera deployment and ground recovery. The parachute enables controlled descent of the camera to a safe landing zone, serving as the mediator that connects the aerial photography mission with ground-based recovery operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are mounted on the rocket, then close-up images can be captured, but the camera cannot capture external views of the spacecraft and astronauts from outside
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system transitions from a static ground-based position to a dynamic deployed position near the rocket trajectory. The camera is released at a specific altitude and uses parachute control to maintain optimal positioning, enabling dynamic adjustment of viewing angles to capture both external spacecraft views and close-up details.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera operates in a third dimension by being deployed to fly alongside the rocket trajectory rather than remaining on the ground or fixed to the rocket. This dimensional transition allows the camera to achieve optimal positioning for capturing external views of the spacecraft and astronauts from multiple angles.
3Reliability
If a parachute is deployed to slow descent, then the camera can land safely, but the parachute adds weight and complexity to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The parachute system is designed as a disposable component that is deployed only during the descent phase and then discarded after the camera lands. This approach allows the camera to have safe landing capability without permanently carrying the weight and complexity of the parachute system throughout the entire mission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-quality imagery of spacecraft and astronauts in microgravity, providing commercially valuable footage without requiring real-time telemetry, and ensuring safe separation and retrieval of the camera.
Implementation Method 1
The ADC may include a parachute to slow the descent of the ADC
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for photography of a spacecraft during space flight are provided. An autonomous deployable camera (ADC) is configured to capture images and video of a portion of a rocket, such as a crew capsule, as it flies in space with the Earth's horizon in the background and astronauts within the crew capsule visible and recognizable through windows of the crew capsule. The ADC, being reusable, is configured to land on the ground independent of landings or flight trajectories of the crew capsule or other parts of a rocket. The ADC includes a parachute to slow the descent of the ADC and tracking hardware to allow the ADC to be relatively easily recovered on the ground. After recovery, images are downloadable from the ADC.