# Biomimetic optic flow sensing applied to a lunar landing scenario

Abstract : Autonomous landing on unknown extraterrestrial bodies requires fast, noise-resistant motion processing to elicit appropriate steering commands. Flying insects excellently master visual motion sensing techniques to cope with highly parallel data at a low energy cost, using dedicated motion processing circuits. Results obtained in neurophysiological, behavioural, and biorobotic studies on insect flight control were used to safely land a spacecraft on the Moon in a simulated environment. ESA's Advanced Concepts Team has identified autonomous lunar landing as a relevant situation for testing the potential applications of innovative bio-inspired visual guidance systems to space missions. Biomimetic optic flow-based strategies for controlling automatic landing were tested in a very realistic simulated Moon environment. Visual information was provided using the PANGU software program and used to regulate the optic flow generated during the landing of a two degrees of freedom spacecraft. The results of the simulation showed that a single elementary motion detector coupled to a regulator robustly controlled the autonomous descent and the approach of the simulated moonlander. Low gate'' located approximately 10 m above the ground was reached with acceptable vertical and horizontal speeds of 4 m/s and 5 m/s, respectively. It was also established that optic flow sensing methods can be used successfully to cope with temporary sensor blinding and poor lighting conditions.
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Conference papers
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https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01446804
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Submitted on : Thursday, January 26, 2017 - 12:23:27 PM
Last modification on : Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - 10:58:59 PM

### Citation

Florent Valette, Franck Ruffier, Stéphane Viollet, Tobias Seidl. Biomimetic optic flow sensing applied to a lunar landing scenario. 2010 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION (ICRA), 2010, Unknown, Unknown Region. pp.2253-2260, ⟨10.1109/ROBOT.2010.5509364⟩. ⟨hal-01446804⟩

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