Comparison of ground reflectance measurement with satellite derived atmospherically corrected reflectance: A case study over semi-arid landscape

Atmospheric corrections to satellite data are important for comparing multitemporal data sets over tropical regions with variable aerosol loading. In this study, we evaluated the potential of 6S radiative transfer model for atmospheric corrections of IRS-P6 AWiFS satellite data sets, in a semi-arid landscape. Ground measurements of surface reflectance representing different land use/land cover categories were conducted to relate IRS-P6 AWiFS top of atmospheric reflectance. The 6S radiative transfer model was calibrated for local conditions using ground measurements for aerosol optical depth, water vapor and ozone with a sun photometer. Surface reflectance retrieved from 6S code was compared with top of atmosphere (TOA) reflectance and ground based spectroradiometer measurements. Accurate parameterization of the 6S model using measurements of aerosol optical depth, water vapor and ozone plays an important role while comparing ground and satellite derived reflectance measurements.     

Assessment of thin cirrus and low cloud over snow by means of the maximum likelihood method

Cirrus clouds and low clouds over snow are sometimes difficult to assess by common retrieval methods. In the case of cirrus the reason is the highly variable optical depth while low clouds have approximately the same temperature and reflection properties as snow covered mountains (or plains). An empirical interactive method is described, which allows to classify with great detail clouds of the described types and to determine the fractional coverage of each cloud type as seen from the satellite. The statistical properties of the cloud classes are determined by analyzing small areas of uniform cloudiness. The algorithms applied to pairs of spectral images is the standard maximum likelihood method.     

Altimetry,bathymetry and geoid variations at the Gavdos permanent Cal/Val facility

The aim of this work has been to examine the relationship of steep bathymetry in the coastal areas around the permanent Cal/Val facility of Gavdos, and their influence on the produced calibration values for the Jason-2 satellite altimeter. The paper describes how changes in seafloor topography (from 200 to 3500 m depth over a distance of 10 km) are reflected on the determined altimeter parameters using different reference surfaces for satellite calibration. Finally, it describes the relation between these parameter trends and the region’s local characteristics.     

Most suitable conditions for aerosol monitoring from space

Numerical modelling is used to search for the most suitable conditions, with the object of determining the atmospheric turbidity (aerosol optical depth) from upward emerging spectral radiances in cloudfree pixels over water surfaces. The most suitable conditions are those where the influence of the turbidity on the radiance most strongly outweighs that of the other optically acting constituents. Since the actual values of these constituents of atmosphere and surface are usually known only within certain limits, using the most suitable conditions minimizes the uncertainty in the turbidity to be derived from satellite measurements. As a result, favorable zenith angles of the satellite and favorable wavelengths are presented for an atmosphere with maritime aerosols with and without Saharan dust. The results represent an advance on a paper published by the authors in 1981 [1].     

Passive remote sensing of aerosols from space now and in the future

Aerosols modify scattered solar radiation leaving the atmosphere and this fact will be exploited to determine the aerosol optical depth. The interaction processes between solar radiation and aerosol particles are outlined. A quasi-linear relationship (‘conversion curves’) between the radiance at the satellite, L_sat, and the aerosol optical depth, a_Dλ, is found from both numerical and empirical studies. Because L_sat is not only controlled by a_Dλ, but also by a series of other atmospheric parameters (perturbing quantities), the concept of ‘favourable viewing conditions’ is presented, where the effects of the perturbing quantities are minimal. The paper ends with some lines of thought on a concept for a turbidity satellite.     

A surface reflectance correction model to improve the retrieval of MISR aerosol optical depth supported by MODIS data

Combined use of different satellite sensors are known to improve retrievals of aerosol optical depth (AOD). In this study, we propose a new method for retrieving Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) AOD data supported by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data in Jiangsu Province, China, over the period of 2016–2018 using MODIS L1B, bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), MISR 1B2T, and ground-measured AOD data. This method is based on the surface reflectance determined by the MODIS V5.2 algorithm. Through the observation angle and spectral conversion between different sensors, the MISR AOD can be obtained. The correlation coefficient (R) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the retrieved MISR and ground-measured AOD data varied between different seasons. The accuracy of the MISR AOD retrieval was notably improved after correcting the MISR surface reflectance. Therefore, the method proposed in this study is feasible for the retrieval of MISR AOD supported by MODIS data, and will be applicable to atmospheric environmental monitoring over large areas in the future.     

基于梯度提升决策树的量子科学实验卫星光学实验预测

量子科学实验卫星在轨运行期间完成4种光学实验，地面监测人员通过遥测参数阈值判断卫星是否进行光学实验、实验类型及实验结果.这种方法需要预先设定大量阈值，并且这些阈值需要根据在轨卫星重新设定，可扩展性较差.针对以上问题，提出一种基于机器学习的光学实验判别方法，将量子科学实验卫星的光学实验监测任务抽象为机器学习中的多元分类问题，构建分类模型，利用量子科学实验卫星的真实历史遥测数据对模型进行训练，并通过真实实验计划对训练得到的模型进行验证.实验结果表明，本文提出的方法在没有专家先验知识的前提下，判别准确率达到99%，可用于量子科学实验卫星光学实验的实时监测任务.提出的基于机器学习的判别方法具有较强的可扩展性，可应用于卫星在轨运行的其他监测任务.      

A study of backscattered spectra dynamics of agricultural crops during growth period on the territory of the Krasnoyarskii Krai (Russia)

The work presents the results of the study aimed at determining the seasonal dynamics of the spectral brightness and reflectance of agricultural crops (wheat, barley and oats) in the Krasnoyarskii Krai (Russia). The analysis of spectral curves obtained through field ground measurements and from satellite data showed that fine spectral differences can be used to study the spatial distribution of various types of vegetation and their ecological state. Based on the created electronic spectral brightness data base, the possibilities are shown of using spectrophotometric information for determining morphophysiological changes occurring in the plants and their species composition. The determined contrasts can be effectively used to obtain necessary information while processing space images, which suffer from natural interferences (varying optical thickness of the atmosphere, cloudiness, alterations in the scanner’s angle of view, varying solar height, and highly inhomogeneous underlying surface).     

基于光学测角数据的风云四号同步轨道卫星精密定轨

针对风云四号同步卫星的精密定轨和精度评估需求,首先利用地面光学测角数据对FY-4A卫星进行精密定轨,定轨后方位角和高度角的残差rms分别为0.25＂和0.45＂。与基于测距数据的轨道相比,位置精度在有测角数据的弧段内小于50m。进一步联合测角数据和测距数据对FY-4A卫星进行联合定轨,定轨后轨道重叠精度优于15m。利用联合定轨结果评估了基于测距数据的实时轨道产品精度,可以明显发现轨道精度随着测距数据的积累而逐步提高。     

卫星光轴复合指向控制方法研究

卫星平台搭载光学载荷对空间运动目标进行跟踪指向技术已经成为卫星发展的重点,为了提升卫星光轴的指向范围、跟踪精度和机动性,仅依靠卫星的姿态调整已无法提升卫星光轴的性能.通过对由卫星姿态、星载光电转台和快反镜组成的卫星复合光轴指向系统的分析,需三者协同工作,输出有效叠加,才能有效提升卫星光轴的指向范围、跟踪精度和机动性.对...     

Comptonization efficiencies of the variability classes of GRS 1915 + 105

The Galactic microquasar GRS 1915 + 105 exhibits at least seventeen types of variability classes. Intra and inter class transitions are reported to be observed within seconds to hours. Since the observation was not continuous, these classes appeared to be exhibited in a random order. Our goal is to predict a sequence of these classes. In this paper, we compute the ratio of the photon counts obtained from the power-law component and the blackbody component of each class and call this ratio as the ‘Comptonizing efficiency’ (CE) of that class. We sequence the classes in the ascending order of CE and find that this sequence matches with a few class transitions observed by RXTE satellite and IXAE instruments on board IRS-P3. A change in CE corresponds to a change in the optical depth of the Compton cloud. Our result implies that the optical depth of the Compton cloud gradually rises as the variability class becomes harder.     

Optical observations of artificial clouds in the CRRES experiments

Some results of the optical observations of the barium clouds released from the satellite “CRRES” over the Caribbean are presented.     

卫星光学敏感器视场遮挡分析工具设计

在卫星构型设计中,要进行视场遮挡分析来判断光学敏感器是否会因为受到卫星其它部件的遮挡而失效.为了取代以往低效的手工分析方法,设计了卫星光学敏感器视场遮挡分析工具.介绍了该工具的设计方法及功能.工具基于三维CAD软件SolidWorks,并以动态链接库(DLL,Dynamic Link Library)的形式与SolidWorks紧密集成.在设计中运用了计算机图形学原理,利用SolidWorks API函数和Visual Basic编程语言进行二次开发.工具能够在SolidWorks中对卫星装配体执行以下敏感器视场遮挡分析功能:定义敏感器视锥特性参数,绘制视场遮挡图和计算视场遮挡率.     

Spectral and temporal characteristics of aerosol optical depth over a wet tropical location in North East India

A network of multi wavelength solar radiometer (MWR) stations has been in operation since the 1980s in India for measurement of aerosol optical depth (AOD). This network was augmented recently with the addition of a large number of stations located across the length and breath of India covering a variety of climate regimes. The spectral and temporal variations of aerosol optical depths observed over Dibrugarh located in the North East of India (27.3°N, 94.5°E) are investigated by analyzing the data obtained from a MWR during October 2001–September 2003 using the Langley technique. AOD varies with time of the day, month of the year and season. From January to April and October to December, aerosol optical depth decreases with wavelength whereas during May–September aerosol optical depth has been found to be nearly independent of wavelengths. AOD is higher during pre-monsoon season (March–May) and lower in the monsoon (June–September) season at about all wavelengths. The temporal variation of AOD over Dibrugarh have also been compared with those reported from selected locations in India.     

深空探测光学导航敏感器在轨几何定标方法

光学导航敏感器是光学自主导航的一个核心器件,它所获得的导航目标源的光线指向的精度将直接影响自主导航的精度。设计了一个分步式的光学导航敏感器在轨几何定标方法,该方法先求解外定标参数,然后在外定标所确定的广义相机坐标系下求解内定标参数,从而完成对内外定标参数的标定。为了在星上计算资源与能力有限的环境下,利用更多的参考星图实现对定标参数的高精度估计,利用逐行法化最小二乘方法估计定标参数。实验表明,通过高精度的在轨几何定标,可以有效提高光学导航敏感器的指向量测精度,使其满足光学自主导航的需求。     

一种空间目标高精度指向控制方法

针对空间动目标指向任务对卫星提出的高精度控制需求,研究了卫星星体/快反镜二级复合系统的指向控制问题,给出了一种空间运动目标高精度指向控制方法。首先,基于近圆轨道Clohessy Wiltshire方程获得追踪卫星与目标卫星的位置信息;然后,基于扩展Kalman滤波算法进行多信息融合确定追踪卫星姿态参数,并实时解算出追踪卫星载荷光轴与目标卫星的相对姿态,获得跟踪指向所需的方位角和俯仰角;最后,通过星体一级姿态控制和基于快反镜的载荷光轴二级指向控制,实现对目标卫星的快速、高精度指向。仿真结果表明,该方法可以在保证快速性的同时实现动态指向控制误差小于072″。该方法可以实现对空间目标的高精度指向控制,为未来空间中激光通信等航天任务提供技术支持。     

基于改进Faster R-CNN的失效卫星部件检测方法

基于光学图像对失效卫星部件的精确检测可以为失效卫星的定位与捕获等任务提供支撑。然而,失效卫星部件多为密集小目标,且其光照条件变化较大,这导致一般主干网络出现特征表征分辨率低,小目标漏检等问题。针对上述问题,提出了一种基于改进Faster R-CNN的失效卫星部件检测方法。该方法在Faster R-CNN的基础上,融合高分辨网络构建新的特征提取主干网络,以获得可靠、高分辨率的特征表达式。其次,在模拟真实空间环境的条件下,利用1：1的嫦娥卫星模型构建了一个信息丰富的失效卫星数据集。用该数据集进行验证,结果表明：本文方法的平均精度为93.6%,其与Faster R-CNN和Cascade R-CNN相比,对小部件检测的准确率与召回率分别平均提高了9.8%与5.4%。该方法可有效检测失效卫星部件。     

量子科学实验卫星微振动地面测试与估计方法

介绍了卫星微振动地面测试和信号估计方法.根据量子科学实验卫星特点,对动量轮运行状态下光学载荷的微振动线位移及角位移进行估计.通过地面微振动测试系统,测量了动量轮运行下光学载荷的微振动加速度;应用小波积分方法,精确估计了卫星结构敏感点的振动线位移和振动角位移.通过工程实测证明了微振动测试与估计方法的有效性.研究结果对于高精度科学实验卫星微振动地面试验具有一定工程应用意义.      

Geosynchronous satellites expanding a future GNSS satellite constellation: A precise orbit determination study

The integration of geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellites in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is mostly discussed to enable a regional enhancement for tracking. But how do GSO satellites affect the orbit determination of the rest of the constellation? How accurately can these orbits be determined in a future GNSS tracking scenario with optical links? In this simulation study we analyze the benefit of GSO satellites as an expansion of a MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellite constellation – we selected the Galileo satellite constellation – for MEO Precise Orbit Determination (POD). We address not only the impact on POD of MEO satellites but also the possibility to precisely determine the GSO satellites – geostationary orbits (GEO) and inclined geosynchronous orbits (IGSO) – in such an expanded MEO constellation. In addition to GNSS microwave observations, we analyze the influence of different optical links between the participating entities: Optical two-way Inter-Satellite Links (OISL) and ground-space oriented Optical Two-Way Links (OTWL). These optical measurements together with the GNSS microwave observations give a remarkable benefit for the POD capability. In the case of GNSS and OTWL, we simulate the measurements with regard to a network of 16 ground stations. We pay great attention to the simulation of systematic effects of all measurement techniques. We discuss the influence on the systematic errors as well as the formal orbit uncertainties. A MEO constellation expanded with GSO satellites as well as the use of optical links together with GNSS observations not only improves the MEO satellite orbits but also the GSOs to a great extent.     

The use of Gaussian equations of motions of a satellite for local gravity anomaly recovery

The orbital elements of a low Earth orbiting satellite and their velocities can be used for local determination of gravity anomaly. The important issue is to find direct relations among the anomalies and these parameters. Here, a primary theoretical study is presented for this purpose. The Gaussian equations of motion of a satellite are used to develop integral formulas for recovering the gravity anomalies. The behaviour of kernels of the integrals are investigated for a two-month simulated orbit similar to that of the Gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer (GOCE) mission over Fennoscandia. Numerical investigations show that the integral formulas have neither isotropic nor well-behaved kernels. In such a case, gravity anomaly recovery is not successful due to large spatial truncation error of the integral formulas. Reformulation of the problem by combining the orbital elements and their velocities leads to an integral with a well-behaved kernel which is suitable for our purpose. Also based on these combinations some general relations among the orbital elements and their velocities are obtained which can be used for validation of orbital parameters and their velocities.