WO1998012108A3 - Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging - Google Patents

Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998012108A3
WO1998012108A3 PCT/CA1997/000672 CA9700672W WO9812108A3 WO 1998012108 A3 WO1998012108 A3 WO 1998012108A3 CA 9700672 W CA9700672 W CA 9700672W WO 9812108 A3 WO9812108 A3 WO 9812108A3
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
detector
attitude
boundary
providing
satellite
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA1997/000672
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1998012108A2 (en
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/710,308 external-priority patent/US5721431A/en
Priority claimed from CA 2186211 external-priority patent/CA2186211A1/en
Application filed filed Critical
Priority to EP97939925A priority Critical patent/EP0927133A2/en
Priority to CA002266679A priority patent/CA2266679C/en
Priority to AU41971/97A priority patent/AU4197197A/en
Publication of WO1998012108A2 publication Critical patent/WO1998012108A2/en
Publication of WO1998012108A3 publication Critical patent/WO1998012108A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S3/782—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
    • G01S3/785—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system
    • G01S3/786—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
    • G01S3/7868—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically using horizon sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/24—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control
    • B64G1/28—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using inertia or gyro effect
    • B64G1/281—Spin-stabilised spacecraft
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/24—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control
    • B64G1/32—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using earth's magnetic field
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/24—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control
    • B64G1/36—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors
    • B64G1/363—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using sun sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/24—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control
    • B64G1/36—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors
    • B64G1/365—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using horizon or Earth sensors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/24—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control
    • B64G1/36—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors
    • B64G1/366—Guiding or controlling apparatus, e.g. for attitude control using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors using magnetometers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G3/00—Observing or tracking cosmonautic vehicles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J5/00—Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry
    • G01J5/10—Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry using electric radiation detectors
    • G01J5/20—Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry using electric radiation detectors using resistors, thermistors or semiconductors sensitive to radiation, e.g. photoconductive devices

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for distinguishing a boundary of an object, and the object itself, from its background. In the method electromagnetic radiation is detected from at least two fields of view substantially spanning the boundary of the object and background adjacent to the boundary and superimposed or overlaid as images onto a detector (36). The method includes correlating spatial transitions in intensity of the overlaid images on the detector with a boundary of the object. When used for determining the attitude of a satellite with respect to the earth, the detector is a thermal infrared detector (36) thereby providing a sharp contrast between the thermal emission of the earth and cold space. The invention provides a simple, effective method and device for determining satellite orientation and/or attitude with respect to a thermal infrared-emitting target body. The sensor includes a segmented limb-looking mirror (32) to provide multiple fields-of-view within the field-of-regard and superimposing these fields-of-view as images onto a common detector (36). The required resolution can be obtained while providing a wide range of operational orbital altitudes. The attitude of the satellite can vary by a large angle from the minimal orientation while still permitting an accurate determination of attitude. Multiple channels in a modular form provide redundancy, improved accuracy, and the opportunity of providing more diverse configurations. The utilization of uncooled microbolometer arrays as imaging detectors removes the requirement for additional cooling equipment thereby providing a low cost, small size and low mass sensor with configurational flexibility and no moving parts.
PCT/CA1997/000672 1996-09-17 1997-09-17 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging WO1998012108A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97939925A EP0927133A2 (en) 1996-09-17 1997-09-17 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging
CA002266679A CA2266679C (en) 1996-09-17 1997-09-17 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging
AU41971/97A AU4197197A (en) 1996-09-17 1997-09-17 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/710,308 1996-09-17
US08/710,308 US5721431A (en) 1996-09-17 1996-09-17 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging
CA2,186,211 1996-09-23
CA 2186211 CA2186211A1 (en) 1996-09-23 1996-09-23 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998012108A2 WO1998012108A2 (en) 1998-03-26
WO1998012108A3 true WO1998012108A3 (en) 1998-08-20

Family

ID=25678696

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA1997/000672 WO1998012108A2 (en) 1996-09-17 1997-09-17 Satellite attitude sensor using thermal imaging

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0927133A2 (en)
AU (1) AU4197197A (en)
WO (1) WO1998012108A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2901198B1 (en) * 2012-09-28 2017-04-19 OHB Italia S.p.A. Telescope, comprising a spherical primary mirror, with wide field of view and high optical resolution
ITCS20120034A1 (en) * 2012-09-28 2014-03-29 Cgs Spa Compagnia Generale Dello Sp Azio TELESCOPE, INCLUDING A PRIMARY SPHERICAL MIRROR, LARGE FIELD OF VIEW

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253150A (en) * 1962-10-12 1966-05-24 Barnes Eng Co Reflective scanning mechanisms for conical scan horizon sensors
US3936629A (en) * 1974-10-07 1976-02-03 U.S. Philips Corporation Horizon sensor for a satellite in geostationary orbit
FR2353043A1 (en) * 1976-05-24 1977-12-23 Sodern Improved horizon sensor for artificial satellites - uses thermosensitive elements and subtractive compensation elements relative to thermal image of earth
FR2533883A1 (en) * 1982-10-04 1984-04-06 Sodern Terrestrial horizon sensor using charge transfer photodetectors
US4628206A (en) * 1984-08-27 1986-12-09 Barnes Engineering Company Visible-UV horizon sensor
US4785169A (en) * 1986-12-09 1988-11-15 Barnes Engineering Company Method of correcting errors in horizon sensors caused by radiance variations
US5055689A (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-10-08 Quantic Industries, Inc. Horizon sensor apparatus and method therefor
WO1995016219A1 (en) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-15 Centre National D'etudes Spatiales Observation instrument orientation detecting system
US5477052A (en) * 1994-04-18 1995-12-19 Servo Corporation Of America Earth sensor for satellites with radiance compensation

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3253150A (en) * 1962-10-12 1966-05-24 Barnes Eng Co Reflective scanning mechanisms for conical scan horizon sensors
US3936629A (en) * 1974-10-07 1976-02-03 U.S. Philips Corporation Horizon sensor for a satellite in geostationary orbit
FR2353043A1 (en) * 1976-05-24 1977-12-23 Sodern Improved horizon sensor for artificial satellites - uses thermosensitive elements and subtractive compensation elements relative to thermal image of earth
FR2533883A1 (en) * 1982-10-04 1984-04-06 Sodern Terrestrial horizon sensor using charge transfer photodetectors
US4628206A (en) * 1984-08-27 1986-12-09 Barnes Engineering Company Visible-UV horizon sensor
US4785169A (en) * 1986-12-09 1988-11-15 Barnes Engineering Company Method of correcting errors in horizon sensors caused by radiance variations
US5055689A (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-10-08 Quantic Industries, Inc. Horizon sensor apparatus and method therefor
WO1995016219A1 (en) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-15 Centre National D'etudes Spatiales Observation instrument orientation detecting system
US5477052A (en) * 1994-04-18 1995-12-19 Servo Corporation Of America Earth sensor for satellites with radiance compensation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0927133A2 (en) 1999-07-07
WO1998012108A2 (en) 1998-03-26
AU4197197A (en) 1998-04-14

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