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The NASA Robotic Lunar Lander Development Project is a joint effort between NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to create a new generation of autonomous robotic landers to achieve scientific and exploration goals on both the lunar surface and other airless celestial bodies, including near-Earth asteroids. In mission concepts, the Entry, Descent, and Landing phase relies on optical navigation algorithms to provide precise spacecraft state corrections using real-time imagery. JHU/APL recently completed helicopter-based navigation field trials in southern California to collect representative descent imagery of terrain types that have some similarity to foreign bodies. This imagery will further demonstrate optical navigation algorithm readiness in addition to prior validation with artificially-rendered lunar surface imagery.

Vacuum Fluorescent Displays for Head Up Display (HUD) systems typically have a luminance of 20,000∼30,000 cd/m2. Certain HUD users have identified a need for a low cost HUD with a projected luminance of 10,000 cd/m2. We have studied an electrode structure modification with the objective of realizing a luminance of 10,000 cd/m2 at battery voltage, which will allow for a cost reduction of the HUD system.

Vacuum Fluorescent Displays (VFDs) which can be directly driven at battery voltage have proven their suitability in automotive applications. In addition to green emitting phosphor, other phosphors such as yellowish orange, greenish yellow and most recently reddish orange have been developed to operate at vehicle battery voltage. These phosphors are now readable under direct sunlight conditions. This paper presents the recent technical improvements that were accomplished to add reddish orange to the list of battery voltage phosphors.

The Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) is widely accepted as a superior display device because of it's self luminance and excellent readability. A reconfigurable graphic VFD consisting of 128 X 32 dots, with high luminance, has been developed. It is suitable as a multi function automotive message display. To realize a high luminance and reliable graphic VFD, the improved phosphor material, mechanical construction and driving condition have been studied. This paper discusses these considerations to achieve high luminance.

For automobile applications, the DIN Size is one of the standardization trends for radios, tape decks, compact disk players and other audio systems. The display device used in an audio system must be compact. It is also desirable to have excellent readability, multicolor and high density graphic capabilities. This paper reports on the recent technical achievements for low cost Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) systems which conforms to the DIN Size.

The luminous efficacy of Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) phosphors has improved steadily. Today, in addition to the standard blue-green phosphor, two additional colors can be driven directly by a twelve volt battery. Studies are continuing on other phosphors and are also reviewed in this paper.