On-orbit calibration techniques for optical payloads onboard remote-sensing satellites

Area of Science:

• Space Science and Engineering
• Optical Physics
• Satellite Technology

Background:

• Attitude errors in optical payloads onboard remote-sensing satellites degrade image quality and quantification accuracy.
• Precise on-orbit calibration is crucial for maintaining the performance of remote-sensing systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and validate two novel on-orbit calibration techniques for optical payloads.
• To improve the accuracy of optical payload orientation for remote-sensing satellites.

Main Methods:

• Self-calibration using the pinhole imaging principle by observing star points.
• Mutual calibration between the optical payload and a star sensor through separate star point observations.
• Validation through ground and on-orbit satellite testing.

Main Results:

• Achieved self-calibration error better than 0.2 arcseconds for a typical remote-sensing satellite.
• Achieved mutual-calibration error better than 2 arcseconds between the optical payload and star sensor.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in correcting installation errors.

Conclusions:

• The presented self-calibration and mutual calibration techniques are effective for enhancing on-orbit calibration accuracy.
• These methods significantly improve the on-orbit orientation accuracy of optical payloads.
• The validated techniques contribute to higher quality data acquisition in remote sensing.