Passive fiducial markers and associated systems and methods

A fiducial marker system for docking a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft, the fiducial marker system comprising a fiducial marker configured to be carried by the second spacecraft, wherein the fiducial marker comprises:

• a metal substrate;
• and
• a surface treatment forming a computer-readable image on the metal substrate;
• wherein:
• the computer-readable image comprises a pattern of a plurality of blocks;
• one or more first blocks of the plurality of blocks includes a first coating having a first emissivity and a first solar radiation absorption coefficient;
• one or more second blocks of the plurality of blocks is uncoated or includes a second coating that has a second emissivity and a second solar radiation absorption coefficient;
• the first emissivity is less than the second emissivity;
• and
• the first solar radiation absorption coefficient is greater than the second solar radiation absorption coefficient.

A method of making a fiducial marker for a spacecraft, the method comprising:

• forming a substrate from a metal material;
• applying a first coating of a light-absorptive material to one or more portions of the substrate, the light-absorptive material having a first emissivity and a first solar radiation absorption coefficient;
• and
• forming a computer-readable image on the substrate, wherein forming the computer-readable image comprises forming a pattern of a plurality of blocks;
• wherein forming the pattern of the plurality of blocks comprises at least one of:
• (a) removing one or more portions of the first coating from the substrate to expose the substrate beneath the one or more portions of the first coating, wherein the substrate has a second emissivity and a second solar radiation absorption coefficient;
• or
• (b) masking over some of the first coating with a masking material, applying a second coating over the first coating or the substrate, and removing the masking material, wherein the second coating has a second emissivity and a second solar radiation absorption coefficient;
• and
• wherein the first solar radiation absorption coefficient is different from the second solar radiation absorption coefficient, and wherein the first emissivity is different from the second emissivity.