A Visual Feedback Approach for Focal Plane Stabilization of a High Resolution Space Camera (Ein Ansatz zur Bildgestützten Regelung für die Fokalebenenstabilisierung einer Hochauflösenden Satellitenkamera)

In this article a new concept of a smart satellite pushbroom imaging system with internal compensation of attitude instability effects is presented. The compensation is performed within the optical path by an active opto-mechatronic stabilization of the focal plane image motion in a closed loop system with visual feedback. The real-time image motion measurement is derived from an auxiliary matrix image sensor and an onboard optical correlator. In this way the effects of attitude instability, vibrations and micro shocks can be neutralized, the image quality is improved and the requirements to the satellite attitude stability can be reduced considerably. The paper describes the principles of operation, the main system elements and gives detailed performance figures derived from a simulation performance model, which contains all relevant components of the smart imaging system.