With the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, there has been intense focus at NASA on being able to detect and characterize damage that may have been sustained by the orbiter during the launch phase. To help perform this task, the Neptec Laser Camera System (LCS) has been selected as one of the sensors to be mounted at the end of a boom extension to the Shuttle Robotic Manipulator System (SRMS). A key factor in NASA's selection of the LCS was its successful performance during flight STS-105 as a Detailed Test Objective (DTO). The LCS is based on a patented designed which has been exclusively licensed to Neptec for space applications.The boom will be used to position the sensor package to inspect critical areas of the Shuttle's Thermal Protection System (TPS). The operational scenarios under which the LCS will be used have required solutions to problems not often encountered in 3D sensing systems. For example, under many of the operational scenarios, the scanner will encounter both commanded and uncommanded motion during the acquisition of data. In addition, various ongoing studies are refining the definition of what constitutes a critical breach of the TPS. Each type of damage presents new challenges for robust detection. This paper explores these challenges with a focus on the operational solutions which address them.

NASA contracted Neptec to provide the Laser Camera System (LCS), a 3D scanning laser sensor, for the on-orbit inspection of the Space Shuttle's Thermal Protection System (TPS) on the return-to-flight mission STS-114. The scanner was mounted on the boom extension to the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS). Neptec's LCS was selected due to its close-range accuracy, large scanning volume and immunity to the harsh ambient lighting of space.The crew of STS-114 successfully used the LCS to inspect and measure damage to the Discovery Shuttle TPS in July, 2005. The crew also inspected the external-tank (ET) doors to ensure that they were fully closed. Neptec staff also performed operational support and real-time detailed analysis of the scanned features using analysis workstations at Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston. This paper provides a summary of the on-orbit scanning activities and a description of the results detailed in the analysis.