Simulating the process of retargeting of optoelectronic Earth observation spacecraft during object shooting

Abstract

Design models and algorithms have been developed to estimate the spatial direction of the reorientation of spacecraft for optoelectronic observation of the Earths surface during object shooting, taking into account the relative movement of the surveillance objects in the field of view of the spacecraft. Modeling is simplified due to the choice of such coordinate systems in which the spacecraft is stationary and the surveillance objects move relative to it. The direction of rotation of the spacecraft with a given angular velocity is found at the point of the upcoming intersection of the optical axis of the observation equipment on the Earths surface with the surveillance object moving in the selected coordinate system. The models and algorithms were developed in order to expand the capabilities of Samara Universitys existing software package for evaluating the target indicators and design characteristics of observation spacecraft. Based on the developed re-targeting models, algorithms have been developed for selecting the sequence of shooting observation objects according to the criterion of their maximum number on the orbit of the spacecraft flight and counting the captured objects to assess the performance of survey. An example of the implementation of one of the graphic windows of the software with the developed models and algorithms is given, in which the process of re-targeting the spacecraft is visualized, which is one of the ways to verify the adequacy of the developed models and algorithms.