A Far Range Image Processing Method for Autonomous Tracking of an Uncooperative Target
This paper proposes an image processing method for far range rendezvous. A target spacecraft at distances up to $30$~km is tracked from camera images. The method is based on linking bright, connected sets of pixels over sequences of images. Stars and the target spacecraft are identified by using a star catalog and performing motion segmentation. The algorithm is illustrated in detail and 
%the visibility of stars and of the target are analyzed which is a prerequisite to perform far range image processing. Further, 
results of a flight experiment called ARGON are presented. The experiment took place in the extended phase of the PRISMA mission. The image processing method was employed and a successful rendezvous from $30$~km to $3$~km was accomplished using optical navigation.
1 VISUAL NAVIGATION FOR ON-ORBIT SERVICING MISSIONS
Increasing complexity and costs of satellite missions promote the idea of looking for opportunities to extend the operational lifetime or to improve the performance of a satellite instead of simply replacing it by a new one. Satellites in orbit can severely be affected by ageing, limited fuel source, or degradation of their hardware components. Also the disposal of spacecraft after the end of lifetime will play a more and more important role in the future, especially, if the involved orbits are of strategic importance. Therefore, satellite on-orbit servicing (OOS) has increasingly caught the interests of both satellite developers and users. One of the critical issues of a satellite on-orbit servicing mission is to ensure a safe and reliable Rendezvous and Docking (RvD) process. DLR is developing new navigation algorithms using standard camera systems and advanced 3D sensor systems like PMD (Photonic Mixing Device). Furthermore DLR has built a new and more advanced RvD simulation facility called EPOS 2.0 (European Proximity Operations Simulator). The facility uses robotic manipulators to generate the relative motion between two satellites and allows full RvD test and simulation capabilities for OOS missions up to a range of 25m.
Substation automation based on IEC 61850 with new process-close technologies
New technologies in primary equipment like nonconventional instrument transformers require new interfaces to the substation automation system. The future standard IEC 61850 perfectly supports this requirement. With the introduction of the new technologies and the use of IEC 61850, a more decentralized architecture of the substation automation system will be possible. This provides several benefits but a careful system design is required to maintain the overall reliability of the system.