Optical flow sensor based localization system for a cooperating spacecraft testbed

Ground-based testbed have been used since the beginning of space exploration for the development and verification of both hardware and software. In this paper, we present the calibration and the validation of an optical flow sensor based navigation system for our ground-based spacecraft testbed. This contactless and low cost system is designed to estimate position and azimuth of the testbed translational module moving at low friction on a plane.