Cost-driven design of small satellite remote sensing systems*

Earth remote sensing (alongside communications) is one of the key application of Earth-orbiting satellites. Civilian satellites in the LANDSAT and SPOT series provide Earth images which have been used for a vast spectrum of applications in agriculture, meteorology, hydrology, urban planning and geology, to name but a few. In the defence sector, satellite remote sensing systems are a critical tool in strategic and tactical planning – for the countries which can afford them. To date, remote sensing satellites have fallen into one of these two categories: military missions driven by the requirement for very high resolution and orbital agility; and multipurpose civil satellites using general purpose sensors to serve a diverse community of end users. For military-style missions, the drive to high resolution sets the requirements for optics, attitude control and downlink data bandwidth. For civil missions, the requirement to satisfy multiple, diverse user applications forces compromises on spectral band and orbit selection. Although there are exceptions, many small satellite remote sensing missions carry on in this tradition, concentrating on ultra high resolution products for multiple user communities. This results in satellites costing on the order of US $100 M, not optimised for any particular application. This paper explores an alternative path to satellite remote sensing, aiming simultaneously to reduce cost and to optimise imaging products for specific applications. By decreasing the cost of the remote sensing satellite system to a critical point, it becomes appropriate to optimise the sensor's spectral and temporal characteristics to fit the requirements of a small, specialised user base. The critical engineering trade-off faced in a cost driven mission is how to reduce mission cost while still delivering a useful product to the selected user. At the Surrey Space Centre, we have pursued an engineering path using two dimensional CCD array sensors, commercial off-the-shelf lenses and gravity-gradient stabilised microsatellites. In spite of the inherent limitations of such systems, recent successes with the Thai Microsatellite Company's Thai-Phutt satellite show that a system costing in the region of US $3 million, can approach the spectral and spatial characteristics of LANDSAT. Surrey's UoSAT-12 minisatellite (to be launched April, 1999) will further develop this cost-driven approach to provide 10 m panchromatic resolution and 30 m multi-spectral resolution. This paper describes the Thai-Phutt and UoSAT-12 imaging systems, explaining the engineering methods and trade-offs. Although Surrey is presently the only centre presently pursuing such implementations, our paper shows that they deserve wider consideration.     

Three-axis active control system for gravity gradient stabilised microsatellite

In this paper, the control system of the first Algerian microsatellite in orbit Alsat-1 is presented. Alsat-1 is a 3-axis stabilised microsatellite, using a pitch momentum wheel and yaw reaction wheel, with dual redundant 3-axis magnetorquers. A gravity gradient boom is employed to provide a high degree of platform stability. Two vector magnetometers and four dual sun sensors are carried in order to determine the attitude. This paper examines the low Earth orbit (LEO) control system requirements and design in the context of a real system, the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) advanced microsatellite platform and puts forward designs for the control system to match the advanced capability of the enhanced microsatellite platform. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the implementation. Comparison with in orbit results is presented to evaluate the performance of the control system during accurate Nadir pointing control.     

遥感小卫星简介——以"北京一号"小卫星为例

高性能对地观测小卫星DMC 4--“北京一号”2005年10月27日在俄罗斯普列谢茨克发射场由宇宙3M火箭成功发射。文章针对小卫星的结构特点和数据特点,指出DMC小卫星图像数据具有获取灵活、重返周期短和大区域覆盖等优势,在地质灾害的调查、监测和预警工作中具有巨大的应用潜力。     

The role of the united nations in promoting international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was established in 1959 by the United Nations General Assembly in order to review and foster international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and to consider legal issues arising from the exploration of outer space. Since its establishment, the Committee has addressed such issues as benefits from space activities, the definition and delimitation of outer space and the use of the geostationary orbit, implications of remote sensing, space sciences, space-based communications, navigation and meteorological systems, as well as use of nuclear power sources in outer space, space debris and spin-off benefits of space technology. At its session in 1996, a symposium on the ‘Utilization of micro- and small satellites for the expansion of low-cost space activities, taking into particular account the needs of developing countries’ was organized by COSPAR and IAF to complement discussions on this theme. It was noted at the symposium that the increasing number of small satellites, in particular the proposed introduction of multi-satellite ‘constellations’ at low orbits, would result in concentrations of satellite mass at certain regions of space around the Earth. Special provisions would be needed to minimize the probability of satellite breakups and collisions which might create more space debris and compromise the future of spaceflight.     

Taiwan's second remote sensing satellite

FORMOSAT-2 is Taiwan's first remote sensing satellite (RSS). It was launched on 20 May 2004 with five-year mission life and a very unique mission orbit at 891 km altitude. This orbit gives FORMOSAT-2 the daily revisit feature and the capability of imaging the Arctic and Antarctic regions due to the high enough altitude. For more than three years, FORMOSAT-2 has performed outstanding jobs and its global effectiveness is evidenced in many fields such as public education in Taiwan, Earth science and ecological niche research, preservation of the world heritages, contribution to the International Charter: space and major disasters, observation of suspected North Korea and Iranian nuclear facilities, and scientific observation of the atmospheric transient luminous events (TLEs). In order to continue the provision of earth observation images from space, the National Space Organization (NSPO) of Taiwan started to work on the second RSS from 2005. This second RSS will also be Taiwan's first indigenous satellite. Both the bus platform and remote sensing instrument (RSI) shall be designed and manufactured by NSPO and the Instrument Technology Research Center (ITRC) under the supervision of the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL). Its onboard computer (OBC) shall use Taiwan's indigenous LEON-3 central processing unit (CPU). In order to achieve cost effective design, the commercial off the shelf (COTS) components shall be widely used. NSPO shall impose the up-screening/qualification and validation/verification processes to ensure their normal functions for proper operations in the severe space environments.     

Erdbeobachtende missionen—Anforderungen und konzepte

(Earth Observation Missions—Requirements and Concepts)—Ten years ago, on 23 July 1972. NASA launched the first satellite specifically designed for Earth observation. With Landsat 1 the importance and attractiveness of remote sensing from space increased worldwide.The paper presents in an overview former remote sensing missions with their applications and the system elements required for gathering Earth observation information. Main elements are the sensors (optical, microwave, and other instruments), the platforms (satellites, space stations, aircraft and Earth based stations) and their orbits.It is shown how these elements are interrelated and which constraints must be considered for planning an Earth observation mission. The feasibility, the amount of hard- and software, the costs, and the performance of a system are decisive for the realization of a satellite concept.Examples for different concepts investigated to date at Dornier System are given; included is the first ESA Remote Sensing Satellite ERS-1, which is now under definition at Dornier System, the main contractor of ESA.     

Taiwan's second remote sensing satellite

FORMOSAT-2 is Taiwan's first remote sensing satellite (RSS). It was launched on 20 May 2004 with five-year mission life and a very unique mission orbit at 891 km altitude. This orbit gives FORMOSAT-2 the daily revisit feature and the capability of imaging the Arctic and Antarctic regions due to the high enough altitude. For more than three years, FORMOSAT-2 has performed outstanding jobs and its global effectiveness is evidenced in many fields such as public education in Taiwan, Earth science and ecological niche research, preservation of the world heritages, contribution to the International Charter: space and major disasters, observation of suspected North Korea and Iranian nuclear facilities, and scientific observation of the atmospheric transient luminous events (TLEs). In order to continue the provision of earth observation images from space, the National Space Organization (NSPO) of Taiwan started to work on the second RSS from 2005. This second RSS will also be Taiwan's first indigenous satellite. Both the bus platform and remote sensing instrument (RSI) shall be designed and manufactured by NSPO and the Instrument Technology Research Center (ITRC) under the supervision of the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL). Its onboard computer (OBC) shall use Taiwan's indigenous LEON-3 central processing unit (CPU). In order to achieve cost effective design, the commercial off the shelf (COTS) components shall be widely used. NSPO shall impose the up-screening/qualification and validation/verification processes to ensure their normal functions for proper operations in the severe space environments.     

The activities of ocean colour remote sensing in China

This article reviews the development of ocean colour remote sensing over the past decade in China. China launched its first remote sensing satellite FY-1A on 7 September 1988 and its second, FY-1B on 3 September 1990. Both of them had a Very High Resolution Scanning Radiometer (VHRSR) which involved two channels (0.48–0.53 and 0.53–0.58 u) for measuring ocean colour. A new polar orbiting satellite FY-1-02 was scheduled to be in orbit by 1998 with an improved VHRSR which has more (10) channels and is more sensitive for ocean colour remote sensing. The special programme of the ocean colour satellite HY-1 has been approved by the Chinese government, as has the planning of another new generation polar orbiting remote sensing satellite, FY-3. A type of sensor has been developed known as the Chinese Moderate Imaging spectroradiometer (CMODIS). Following its review, the article will describe the future activities of ocean colour remote sensing in China and explain their scientific goal.     

Bistatic radar as a tool for earth investigation using small satellites

Bistatic radar is a facility for the Earth remote sensing, which uses large spatial diversity between its transmitter and receiver. Nomogram method is proposed to determine the radar's parameters. Analysis of the nomograms has shown that modern onboard radio facilities allow to obtain spatial resolution of about 100 m at the wavelength λ = 3 cm for LEO satellite (H = 350 km). Experiments of bistatic radiolocation of the Earth near the radioshadow zone were provided using telecommunication link “MIR” orbital station — GEO satellite at wavelength λ = 32 cm. For the first time in practice of bistatic radiolocation of the Earth from space reflected signal in radioshadow zone was observed.The analysis of experimental results verified the developed radiophysical model with the value of sea water conductivity σ = 7.0 mo/m and absorption coefficient due to atmospheric oxygen χ = 0.0096±0.0024 dB/km.     

高分辨率卫星遥感图像的偏流角及其补偿研究

卫星遥感采用高分辨率TDICCD相机时，由于地球的旋转产生图像运动的偏流角，偏流角对这种遥感图像的质量影响较大，需要进行补偿，并通过遥感视线的校正实现。补偿的首要工作是确定图像运动的偏流角和遥感视线的修正量。基于航天器飞行动力学原理，本文求出了各种近地轨道的偏流角、偏流角角速度，把遥感视线的校正分成粗校正和精校正，并给出了修正量的确定方法。针对椭圆轨道和圆轨道情况的偏流角及修正量的计算，验证了本文算法的有效性。     

成像卫星在轨智能处理技术研究进展

从成像卫星在轨智能处理技术的重要性出发,分析了现阶段国内外研究现状,并总结了星上计算资源受限、实时性要求高、缺少大规模数据集、空间环境特殊性等在轨智能面临的主要挑战.针对问题,系统总结了智能算法、硬件平台和优化技术三个方面的相关技术,其中对于遥感目标智能检测算法,详细描述了数据集、模型架构、实时性等多个方面.最后,对成...     

我国卫星光学遥感技术的成就与新世纪展望

介绍我国已发射的光学型对地观测卫星和研制成功的航天光学遥感器 ,展示中国在卫星遥感领域取得的成就 ,并展望新世纪卫星光学遥感技术的发展     

Economics of telecommunications space segments

This paper proposes a complete model for assessing the economics of telecommunications satellite systems, accounting for spacecraft development and manufacturing, launch and operations in orbit. This allows to account for such parameters as the mass and lifetime of the satellites, the number and type of payloads, the number of satellites procured and launched, the spare policy, the launch vehicle, the insurances, the satellite average MTTF and the management of the space segment efforts.

The model is divided into four parts: the spacecraft mass model, the spacecraft procurement cost model, the MTTF model and the space segment cost-effectiveness model. It provides for the rapid solution of a number of problems within a wide range of parameters such as assessing the influence on space segment economics of —certain satellite technologies, —satellite and payload mass, —number of payloads per spacecraft, —satellite lifetime, or —spare policy.     

Low cost planetary exploration: surrey lunar minisatellite and interplanetary platform missions

In order to meet the growing global requirement for affordable missions beyond Low Earth Orbit, two types of platform are under design at the Surrey Space Centre. The first platform is a derivative of Surrey's UoSAT-12 minisatellite, launched in April 1999 and operating successfully in-orbit. The minisatellite has been modified to accommodate a propulsion system capable of delivering up to 1700 m/s delta-V, enabling it to support a wide range of very low cost missions to LaGrange points, Near-Earth Objects, and the Moon. A mission to the Moon - dubbed “MoonShine” - is proposed as the first demonstration of the modified minisatellite beyond LEO. The second platform - Surrey's Interplanetary Platform - has been designed to support missions with delta-V requirements up to 3200 m/s, making it ideal for low cost missions to Mars and Venus, as well as Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and other interplanetary trajectories. Analysis has proved mission feasibility, identifying key challenges in both missions for developing cost-effective techniques for: spacecraft propulsion; navigation; autonomous operations; and a reliable safe mode strategy. To reduce mission risk, inherently failure resistant lunar and interplanetary trajectories are under study. In order to significantly reduce cost and increase reliability, both platforms can communicate with low-cost ground stations and exploit Surrey's experience in autonomous operations. The lunar minisatellite can provide up to 70 kg payload margin in lunar orbit for a total mission cost US$16–25 M. The interplanetary platform can deliver 20 kg of scientific payload to Mars or Venus orbit for a mission cost US$25–50 M. Together, the platforms will enable regular flight of payloads to the Moon and interplanetary space at unprecedented low cost. This paper outlines key systems engineering issues for the proposed Lunar Minisatellite and interplanetary Platform Missions, and describes the accommodation and performance offered to planetary payloads.     

高速率遥感卫星接收与处理系统的设计与实现

为成功接收搭载分米级分辨率的SAR（Synthetic Aperture Radar,合成孔径雷达）载荷低轨遥感卫星数据,验证卫星载荷工作状态和性能,本项目研发一套Ka/S双频段遥感卫星接收与处理机动站。针对窄波束高动态卫星跟踪、多通道高速率遥感数据星地传输的重难点,本文着重从窄波束高动态目标卫星跟踪、超高速高性能全数字解调以及高精度双模式自适应盲均衡等关键技术进行研究。通过试验验证技术路径正确、措施有效,可为后续相关系统研制提供技术参考。     

NASA''s small spacecraft technology initiative “Clark” spacecraft

The Small Satellite Technology Initiative (SSTI) is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) program to demonstrate smaller, high technology satellites constructed rapidly and less expensively. Under SSTI, NASA funded the development of “Clark,” a high technology demonstration satellite to provide 3-m resolution panchromatic and 15-m resolution multispectral images, as well as collect atmospheric constituent and cosmic x-ray data. The 690-Ib. satellite, to be launched in early 1997, will be in a 476 km, circular, sun-synchronous polar orbit. This paper describes the program objectives, the technical characteristics of the sensors and satellite, image processing, archiving and distribution. Data archiving and distribution will be performed by NASA Stennis Space Center and by the EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA.     

LOCSS and its implementation on the basis of a small satellite cluster

A problem of providing users with the necessary remote sensing data in the visible and near IR spectral bands has been considered. The solution of the problem plans increase of spatial and spectral resolution for imaging from space, high periodicity of surveying the same sites on the Earth's surface and spaceborne data delivery to users in real time.

This problem solution proposed is to use a cluster of small satellites and to implement the Local Space Service (LOCSS) program. The main aspects of this concept are as follows:

• • optimization of remote sensing instrumentation parameters;

• • image data compression onboard a small spacecraft;

• • compressed data downlinking via the low rate radio channel;

• • direct reception of the image data by users at small cheap receiving stations; and

• • image data decompression and processing using personal computers and special processors.

     

火星卫星的冻结轨道研究

冻结轨道是一种稳定的轨道,地球、火星、月球的卫星因引力场的南北不对称,都存在冻结轨道.由于主星体引力场的不同,它们卫星的冻结轨道也有不同的特性.地球卫星的冻结执道的偏心率非常小,对卫星遥感非常有利,国内外已有相当多的近地遥感卫星采用这种轨道.月球卫星的冻结轨道偏心率随轨道倾角的不同有很大的变化,对月球卫星冻结轨道的研究...     

遥感卫星平台与载荷一体化构型

随着遥感卫星制造技术的不断提高,高精度、高敏捷性、低成本遥感卫星的需求日益强烈。平台与载荷一体化设计是未来高精度、高敏捷性、低成本遥感卫星发展的重要方向之一,平台与载荷一体化构型设计是平台与载荷一体化遥感卫星的关键。目前已有多颗平台与载荷一体化构型的遥感卫星在轨飞行,中国尚处于起步阶段。文章分析了平台与载荷一体化设计的遥感卫星构型;从提高图像定位精度、降低卫星质量、降低建造成本等方面,分析了平台与载荷一体化构型的优势;对载荷设计需具有整星级优化理念、载荷需提供多种接口、平台与载荷间具有强耦合关系等一体化构型的特点进行了总结;给出了一体化构型的建议,如整星形状设计、主承力结构设计、大型部件布局等。     

基于条件生成对抗模型的遥感卫星影像重建技术研究

为了快速侦察未知区域的地貌信息，遥感卫星可对特定区域进行扫描以获取遥感卫星影像。当卫星经过国外未知区域时，部分卫星无法针对某特定区域进行长时间的驻留扫描，本文提出一种基于条件生成对抗网络模型（Conditional Generative Adversarial Network，CGAN）进行网络训练，前期将某方法获取的区域轮廓地形信息作为CGAN网络的生成网络和鉴别网络中的条件约束信息，通过网络生成器与判别器在训练过程中互相博弈产生特定的输出集，有效地实现由单张电子轮廓图像到对应卫星遥感图像的端到端的非线性映射。本文通过原真实卫星遥感图像与生成卫星遥感图像进行四种对比误差计算，平均误差、均方误差与结构相似度均高于99%，峰值信噪比高于30 dB，生成的图像与原图像之间具备高相似度，实现了在获取坐标定位轮廓信息的先验条件下，对特定区域进行遥感卫星影像内容重建技术。