Semi-analytical algorithm for computing satellite-area target visibility

ZHANG Zhong; E Zhibo; HUANG Lixia; LI Junfeng

doi:10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2021.26.020

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Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology) ›› 2022, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (3) : 573-580. DOI: 10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2021.26.020

SPECIAL SECTION: AIR-BREATHING ENGINE AND AEROSPACE POWER TECHNOLOGY

Semi-analytical algorithm for computing satellite-area target visibility

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Abstract

Computing the visibility of remote sensing satellites on an area target is an important basic satellite observation mission. The calculational accuracy and efficiency are then very important for satellite imaging scheduling. This paper presents a fast, semi-analytical algorithm for predicting satellite-area target visibility. First, geometric relations are used to define the boundaries of all the area targets described by ordinary arcs with the algorithm then determining the intersections. Then, the cone characteristics and the rectangular field of view of the satellite are used with a fast judgement condition for the visibility. The visibility at each discrete time step is determined analytically with a binary search which is then used to quickly predict the time for the visible window. Numerical examples show that this method is accurate and efficient. The relative error in the visibility duration is 0.1% relative to the predictions of the commercial software STK while the calculational speed is 10⁵ times faster than the brute force method and almost 1 000 times faster than the average speed of the existing fast calculation algorithms.

Key words

remote sensing satellites / visibility / area target / cone field / rectangular field

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ZHANG Zhong, E Zhibo, HUANG Lixia, LI Junfeng. Semi-analytical algorithm for computing satellite-area target visibility[J]. Journal of Tsinghua University(Science and Technology). 2022, 62(3): 573-580 https://doi.org/10.16511/j.cnki.qhdxxb.2021.26.020

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