Validation of Laser-Induced Fluorescent Photogrammetric Targets on Membrane Structures

Abstract

The need for static and dynamic characterization of a new generation of inflatable space structures requires the advancement of classical metrology techniques.A new photogrammetric-based method for non-contact ranging and surface profiling has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to support modal analyses and structural validation of this class of space structures. This full field measurement method, known as Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) photogrammetry, has previously yielded promising experimental results. However, data indicating the achievable measurement precision had not been published. This paper provides experimental results that indicate the LIF-photogrammetry measurement precision for three different target types used on a reflective membrane structure. The target types were: (1) non-contact targets generated using LIF, (2) surface attached retro-reflective targets, and (3) surface attached diffuse targets. Results from both static and dynamic investigations are included.

Pressure airship model structural analysis and deformation measurement using photogrammetry

“…So research on the static and dynamic non-contact measurement becomes an important task. With the development of the digital cameras and target technology [6] , photogrammetry is becoming much more suitable for lightweight and inflatable structures measurements, and still developing to the automation measurement. At present, many countries has used the photogrammetry to make the static, deployable and vibration measurement of lightweight and inflatable structures [7] .…”

Surface Accuracy Measurement of a Novel Inflatable Antenna by Photogrammetry

“…), therefore, the traditional contact measurement methods maybe result in large measurement errors, and non-contact measurement methods are needed for the surface accuracy measurement of inflatable antenna. As digital photogrammetry has advantage of high precision, high measurement speed, easy operation, multi-point measure, etc., therefore, it is used widely in different kinds of inflatable structure measurements, such as parabolic inflatable antenna [1], plane inflatable antenna [1], inflatable tube [2] and solar sail [3], as shown in Fig. 1.…”