Apparatuses, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products for landing site alignment

An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory having computer-coded instructions stored thereon that, in execution with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

• generate a transmission signal via a radar altimeter onboard a vehicle, the vehicle being oriented proximate to a landing site comprising a plurality of radio-reflective targets;
• receive, via the radar altimeter, a plurality of reflected signals;
• generate a plurality of power metrics based at least in part on the plurality of reflected signals;
• compare the plurality of power metrics to at least one threshold to determine a subset of power metrics that are associated with the plurality of radio-reflective targets;
• generate alignment correction data based at least in part on respective difference values between the subset of power metrics;
• and
• cause output of the alignment correction data to at least one of a ground station configured to control the vehicle or a control system onboard the vehicle, wherein the alignment correction data comprises at least one parameter for aligning the vehicle with the landing site to minimize the respective difference values.

A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer program code stored thereon that, in execution with at least one processor, is configured to:

• generate a transmission signal via a radar altimeter onboard a vehicle, the vehicle being oriented proximate to a landing site comprising a plurality of radio-reflective targets;
• receive, via the radar altimeter, a plurality of reflected signals;
• generate a plurality of power metrics based at least in part on the plurality of reflected signals;
• compare the plurality of power metrics to at least one threshold to determine a subset of power metrics that are associated with the plurality of radio-reflective targets;
• generate alignment correction data based at least in part on respective difference values between the subset of power metrics;
• and
• cause output of the alignment correction data to at least one of a ground station configured to control the vehicle or a control system onboard the vehicle, wherein the alignment correction data comprises at least one parameter for aligning the vehicle with the landing site to minimize the respective difference values.