Scientific and Technological Centre for Unique Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences (STC UI RAS) has developed and manufactured measuring video endoscopes designed to control the internal components of rocket engines.
In the first version, a stereo endoscope, original mathematical algorithms for image processing and calculation of the three-dimensional coordinates of the observed objects are used. New algorithms make it possible to take into account the design data of the controlled system. It provides the greater level of accuracy that surpasses foreign stereoscopic endoscopes.
In the second version, the spectral endoscope, a tunable acousto-optic filter is used. This makes it possible for the first time to obtain spectral images of objects and to determine the spectra of individual elements of the object’s image. Both developments were designed by the scientific group of PhD A.S. Machikhin (department of acousto-optical information systems, head of PhD V.E. Pozhar).
The unique multispectral video endoscopic system is currently being developed. It is capable of obtaining information about the spectral properties at any point of the observed object at once (in half a second).
Ongoing research and development make it possible to control the internal hard-to-reach surfaces of rocket engines. It is also aimed at determining the nature of contamination, which is the priority in creating reusable carriers. These technologies are original and allow creating equipment based on Russian technologies.