Simulation of satellite landmark navigation on the base of optoelectronic image processing technique

Hybrid optoelectronic landmark navigation is proposed as backup navigation for Low Earth Orbit satellite. Optoelectronic navigation can use earth observation camera, originally not assigned for navigation purposes. The concept of the landmark navigation system is based on the onboard optical correlator application for real time matching of the earth images and pre-recorded images of landmarks with known coordinates. The software model of image processing by optical correlator has been developed to test the system operation in simulated experiments and to estimate the expected performance. The hardware model of the joint transform optical correlator has been manufactured and tested. The model uses commercially available optoelectronic components and works with PC, which performs all digital processing and data flow control. As a result of the model testing, the feasibility of the system concept and the adequacy of the software model have been proved. The image processing system which calculates satellite attitude and position on the base of correlation peaks measurements has been used for simulation of optoelectronic satellite landmark navigation. In the series of simulated experiments the navigation accuracy was estimated in presence of image distortions and noise for earth observation mission.