Psionic Navigation Doppler Lidar for Space (PNDL-S) is smaller, lighter, and has greater precision than earlier generations of NDLs.
The PNDL-S provides simultaneous velocity, altitude, pitch, and roll from a height of 15kms through to a safe, precise pinpoint landing on planetary bodies. Direct real-time velocity measurement also enables tighter control over touchdown velocity and allows reduction in the structural margin and tip-over concerns, resulting in lander mass savings. The PNDL-S is built on an exclusive license of the technology from NASA for all ground, air, and space applications.
"Psionic Navigation Doppler Lidar (PNDL) helps ensure safe, precise lunar landings and will be an important part of upcoming unmanned and manned flights. The Flight Opportunities program enabled us to advance the technical readiness level of PNDL with a representative lunar landing trajectory aboard the Masten Xodiac free flying rocket. During the flight, we acquired valuable data to advance the robustness of the sensor-to-navigation computer interfaces, setting the stage for future missions, and ultimately for Artemis’s manned mission to the moon."