Quantitative Geometric Calibration & Validation of the Rapideye Constellation

The RapidEye system is a new generation of operational small-satellite constellations designed to meet the growing requirements for remotely sensed satellite imagery. Based on a constellation of five satellites, each carrying a 5-band 6.5 metre multi-spectral (MS) imager, the RapidEye system is capable of daily collection of over 4Mkm 2 with access to any point on the surface of the earth every day. This high-repeat, moderate-resolution capability makes RapidEye imagery ideally suited to satisfying multi-spectral and multi-temporal applications, for which geometric accuracy (including absolute accuracy, relative accuracy, multi-temporal registration, and band-to-band registration) is critical. To satisfy these requirements, the RapidEye constellation underwent a quantitative post-launch geometric calibration & validation campaign designed to accurately commission the cameras and to characterize the quality of imagery products. This paper describes the post-launch calibration techniques developed and used to characterize the payloads on all 5 RapidEye satellites. It both highlights the advances in calibration tools and techniques made over previous calibration campaigns and summarizes the results observed in the initial post-launch activities. 2. BACKGROUND