CTA

CTA [NASA]

CTA (Canadian Target Assembly) was a optical target for the CANEX-2 experiments.

During Shuttle mission STS-52 an experimental machine vision system, called the Space Vision System (SVS), was evaluated. Developed by the National Research Council of Canada, Spar Aerospace Limited, and the Canadian Space Agency, the SVS uses a video camera to monitor a pattern of target dots of known spacing arranged on an object to be tracked. As the object moves, the SVS computer measures the changing position of the dots, and provides information on the location and orientation of the object. This information will help guide the Canadarm in berthing or deploying satellites. It is expected that the SVS will be adapted for use on board the International Space Station.

For CANEX-2, the set of CANadian EXperiments to be conducted during STS-52, a target satellite called the Canadian Target Assembly (CTA) which was specifically developed for the SVS evaluation will be carried in the cargo bay. During the flight, a mission specialist will use the Canadarm to deploy the CTA and take it through a series of manoeuvres to evaluate the performance of the SVS.