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Investigation of varying telescope array spacing for shadow imaging reconstruction from partial diffraction patterns
Applied Optics
|August 12, 2025
Summary
Synthetic-aperture silhouette imaging (SASI) uses telescope arrays for low-cost satellite imaging. This study demonstrates sub-meter resolution is achievable with specific telescope spacing, informing future array designs.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Shadow imaging reconstructs object silhouettes from diffraction patterns.
- Synthetic-aperture silhouette imaging (SASI) applies this to geosynchronous satellites using commercial telescopes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of achieving sub-meter resolution with SASI arrays.
- To inform the design trade-offs for operational SASI arrays.
Main Methods:
- Simulated a linear array of commercial off-the-shelf telescopes.
- Analyzed the impact of telescope spacing on resolution.
- Evaluated configurations with up to three aperture diameter spaces and intermittent spacing.
Main Results:
- Sub-meter resolution is maintained with up to three aperture diameter spaces between telescopes.
- Similar sub-meter resolution can be achieved with arrays using 25% of telescopes spaced intermittently.
Conclusions:
- SASI offers a cost-effective method for high-resolution satellite imaging.
- Optimized telescope spacing is crucial for achieving desired resolution in SASI arrays.
