On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras
Rotating mirror-based space cameras are susceptible to mirror misalignment due to the severe vibrations experienced during rocket launch and the harsh, variable conditions of the space environment, which can result in deviations of the camera’s line of sight. To mitigate this risk, this study propos...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/15/2740 |
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| author | Guoxiu Zhang Yishi Qiao Zhenyuan Guo Chen Wang Yingming Zhao Yuxin Zhang Chunyu Liu Xianren Kong |
| author_facet | Guoxiu Zhang Yishi Qiao Zhenyuan Guo Chen Wang Yingming Zhao Yuxin Zhang Chunyu Liu Xianren Kong |
| author_sort | Guoxiu Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rotating mirror-based space cameras are susceptible to mirror misalignment due to the severe vibrations experienced during rocket launch and the harsh, variable conditions of the space environment, which can result in deviations of the camera’s line of sight. To mitigate this risk, this study proposes a simulation-based on-orbit calibration method for quantifying rotating mirror misalignment using a system of pointing vector equations. The method employs star coordinates as a reference to establish the reference pointing vector for stars, while simultaneously developing a model of the rotating mirror imaging system. By incorporating a misalignment matrix, the actual pointing vector of star points is derived. Subsequently, the reference star pointing vector and the actual star point pointing vector are combined to formulate a system of pointing vector equations. Solving these equations enables precise measurement of the rotating mirror’s rotational misalignment without requiring additional spaceborne equipment. Through simulations, the three-axis misalignment of the rotating mirror is deduced from imaging pixel coordinates, given the known right ascension and declination of reference star points. The influence and patterns of three-axis misalignment on pointing accuracy are analyzed separately. Although validation based on real measurement data remains to be carried out in future work, this simulation-based method provides a theoretical foundation for the calibration of internal orientation elements of space cameras equipped with moving components. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2062d27cdb834a8288b8987fda1af01d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-2062d27cdb834a8288b8987fda1af01d2025-08-20T03:36:22ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-08-011715274010.3390/rs17152740On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space CamerasGuoxiu Zhang0Yishi Qiao1Zhenyuan Guo2Chen Wang3Yingming Zhao4Yuxin Zhang5Chunyu Liu6Xianren Kong7Research Center of the Satellite Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaChina Siwei Surveying and Mapping Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100089, ChinaChangchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, ChinaChangchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, ChinaChangchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, ChinaChangchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, ChinaChangchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, ChinaResearch Center of the Satellite Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaRotating mirror-based space cameras are susceptible to mirror misalignment due to the severe vibrations experienced during rocket launch and the harsh, variable conditions of the space environment, which can result in deviations of the camera’s line of sight. To mitigate this risk, this study proposes a simulation-based on-orbit calibration method for quantifying rotating mirror misalignment using a system of pointing vector equations. The method employs star coordinates as a reference to establish the reference pointing vector for stars, while simultaneously developing a model of the rotating mirror imaging system. By incorporating a misalignment matrix, the actual pointing vector of star points is derived. Subsequently, the reference star pointing vector and the actual star point pointing vector are combined to formulate a system of pointing vector equations. Solving these equations enables precise measurement of the rotating mirror’s rotational misalignment without requiring additional spaceborne equipment. Through simulations, the three-axis misalignment of the rotating mirror is deduced from imaging pixel coordinates, given the known right ascension and declination of reference star points. The influence and patterns of three-axis misalignment on pointing accuracy are analyzed separately. Although validation based on real measurement data remains to be carried out in future work, this simulation-based method provides a theoretical foundation for the calibration of internal orientation elements of space cameras equipped with moving components.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/15/2740space camerarotating mirror axismisalignmenton-orbit calibration |
| spellingShingle | Guoxiu Zhang Yishi Qiao Zhenyuan Guo Chen Wang Yingming Zhao Yuxin Zhang Chunyu Liu Xianren Kong On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras Remote Sensing space camera rotating mirror axis misalignment on-orbit calibration |
| title | On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras |
| title_full | On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras |
| title_fullStr | On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras |
| title_full_unstemmed | On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras |
| title_short | On-Orbit Calibration Method for Rotation Axis Misalignment in Rotating Mirror-Based Wide-Field Space Cameras |
| title_sort | on orbit calibration method for rotation axis misalignment in rotating mirror based wide field space cameras |
| topic | space camera rotating mirror axis misalignment on-orbit calibration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/15/2740 |
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