A 35 GHz Proximetry Microwave Sensor

At the end of the century, Europe will realise rendez-vous between satellites in space. Basic studies have already started at CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales). A breadboard model of a radar which provides the necessary information during an automatic docking manoeuver is presented. This FM-CW, Ka band radar will be located on the arm extremity of a robotised hunting satellite. The main feature of this instrument is to measure, relative distance, relative speed and angular position at very short distances (inferior to one metre).