An attitude control and navigation system for high resolution imaging

Abstract: The system consists of a satellite position and attitude reference system utilizing Global Positioning System data, an on board computer (10) to analyze and generate position and attitude dependent instructions, an attitude control system (8) to adjust the attitude of the space craft in response to instructions from the computer, an imaging system (2) responsive to the computer to generate image data and transmit it, and a ground based, image data receiver (5) and post processing system to assemble the image data, code the data and compile sequential images into a mosaic depicting the target. The on board computer delays the generation of attitude control instructions, during the process of capturing image data, in order to avoid image distortion due to attitude adjustment movement of the spacecraft.

Description: In a high resolution imaging system which is based on orbiting satellites, the quality of the image depends on the systems ability to point to the target and the stability of the satellite platform during the relatively short duration image generation process. The image consists of a swath across the target and must be assembled as a mosaic by the image processing software. As illustrated in Figure 2, a constellation of satellites orbiting in the same orbital plane can be used to provide a complete scan of the target area. The optical system on each satellite is adjusted by attitude control or other means to scan overlapping swaths. The pointing function requires instantaneous position and attitude data which are, in prior art systems, provided through the use of precision star and earth sensors requiring expensive and complex systems. Because of the relative motion between the target and the imaging satellite, the image generation process is of short duration in the range of between 40 to 60 seconds. During this process it is desirable to hold the aimed optical system steady to prevent smearing, distortion or other image problems. A great deal of effort has been invested to maintain the positional stability of the satellite platform resulting in increased complexity in the associated attitude control system. An attitude control system of the prior art used for satellite imaging is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,837,699. In this system, space craft attitude is adjusted by activating axial and radial thrusters in response to an attitude correction signal. The attitude error is sensed by reference to sensors monitoring the relative position of the sun and earth. The use of sun sensors or other celestial means to monitor attitude is complex and costly. The attitude is adjusted to its mission orientation in which the imaging system is pointed at its predetermined target and is maintained in this orientation during orbital flight. During flight the satellite is subject to motions induced by solar torques, on board mechanisms or other sources and the attitude control system must continuously monitor and adjust attitude. Once the image data is captured, it is transmitted in raw form to a receiving station where it is processed, enhanced and coded for assembly. Complex computer algorithms allow the assembly of the processed images into a mosaic depicting the target area for analysis. Recent advances in these algorithms allow compensation for pointing inaccuracies and optical platform movement. Such algorithms are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,688,092. Image quality is effected by the relative movement between the imaging system and the target. Accordingly the prior art has focused on stabilization through attitude control. Current tolerances for pointing accuracy and movement accommodation are demanding and are a function of the image post-processing as well as the optical payload field of view and resolution. This invention seeks to adapt the advanced distortion reducing algorithms to allow wider tolerance in pointing accuracy and stability and then to use these increased tolerances to simplify and lower the cost of the system. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an attitude and imaging control system for a space craft for generating images representative of a predetermined target, the system comprising image data generating means mounted on the space craft, having a line of sight, said means adapted to generate a signal containing image data representing at least a partial target image and transmit said image signal to a ground receiving station, means mounted on the space craft to receive data indicative of the actual attitude and orbital position of the space craft and to generate a signal relative thereto, computer means mounted on the space craft to process the position and attitude signal and to compare said signal to predetermined data representative of the orbital position and attitude required to align the line of sight of the image generating means with the target, attitude data processing means adapted to generate an attitude control adjustment signal indicative of the attitude adjustment required to align the line of sight with the target and position data processing means to generate a signal to initiate image data generation for a predetermined period when said line of sight is aligned with said target, said computer means disabling the attitude control means during the operation of the image signal generating means to avoid attitude adjustment manoeuvres which have an adverse effect on the image signal and attitude control means mounted on the craft adapted to receive the attitude control adjustment signal and to adjust the attitude of the space craft in response thereto. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an attitude and imaging control system for a space craft for generating images representative of a predetermined target, comprising image data generating means mounted on the space craft, having a line of sight, said means adapted to generate a signal containing image data representing at least a partial target image and transmit said image signal to a ground receiving station, a global position system receiver mounted on the space craft and adapted to receive signals from multiple global position system satellites, process said signals, and generate signals relative to the orbital position and attitude of the space craft, computer means mounted on the space craft to process the position and attitude signal and to compare said signal to predetermined data representative of the orbital position and attitude required to align the line of sight of the image generating means with the target, attitude data processing means adapted to generate an attitude control adjustment signal indicative of the attitude adjustment required to align the line of sight with the target and position data processing means to generate a signal to initiate image data generation for a predetermined period when said line of sight is aligned with said target, said computer means disabling the attitude control means during the operation of the image signal generating means to avoid attitude adjustment manoeuvres which have an adverse effect on the image signal, attitude control means mounted on the craft adapted to receive the attitude control adjustment signal and to adjust the attitude of the space craft in response thereto and a ground receiving station adapted to receive the image signal and to transmit said signal to a receiving station computer, said receiving station computer adapted to process said signal using modelling algorithms which reduce distortion and enhance the received image signal, thereby improving the control system's tolerance to movement of the space craft during the image data generation period, to generate partial images of the target, identify said partial images relative to each other by means of landmark recognition from which the map coordinates of the partial images can be derived and to assemble said partial images into a composite of contiguous partial images representative of the complete target. The system of this invention relies on powerful image processing algorithms to filter or compensate for distortions due to ground motion and platform attitude oscillations. Through the use of landmark recognition, the assembly of the mosaic becomes less reliant on precise data and eliminates the need for continuous star and earth sensing. This increases the range of tolerance allowed for the pointing system. A Global Positioning System receiver may be used as an attitude reference to determine the instantaneous attitude of the satellite and through the employment of a simple three axis control system, the attitude of the satellite can be adjusted to point the imaging system at the target. This pointing system is sufficiently accurate to allow the image processing software to assemble the images utilizing landmark recognition. Once the image system is pointed at the target within acceptable tolerances, it is found that, attitude oscillations caused by the attitude control system is the source of the most significant distortion. In the system of this invention means are provided to deactivate the attitude control system to avoid disturbances during the image generating process. Any distortions due to drift during imaging are compensated for by the post processing software and by enlarging the field of view to reduce the effect of motion. The system may comprise a satellite position and attitude reference system utilizing Global Positioning System data, an on board computer to analyze and generate position and attitude dependent instructions, an attitude control system to adjust the attitude of the space craft in response to instructions from the computer, an imaging system responsive to the computer to generate image data and transmit it, and a ground based, image data receiver and post processing system to assemble the image data, code the data and compile sequential images into a mosaic depicting the target. The on board computer delays the generation of attitude control instructions, during the process of capturing image data, in order to avoid image distortion due to attitude adjustment movement of the spacecraft. In order that the invention and its various other preferred features may be understood more easily, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an illustration of the orbiting space craft of this invention and its components, Figure 2 is an illustration of the orbiting space craft of this invention showing its imaging process, Figure 3 is a block diagram of a space craft control system constructed in accordance with the invention, and Figure 4 is a block diagram of a ground control system suitable for employment in the system of this invention. Referring now to Figure 1, a space craft 1, is designed to carry an imaging system 2 to capture data from a target 3 and transmit the data to a ground receiving station 5 for processing. In order to accomplish its mission the imaging space craft 1 is placed in orbit in a predetermined path 6, consistent with the geographical location of the target. The basic components of the system involve the on board system as shown in Figure 3 and comprise imaging system 2, an attitude control system 8, a position and attitude data receiver 9, and an on board computer 10. The output of the imaging system 2 is transmitted to the ground receiving station 5, shown in Figure 4, which includes receiver 14, image processor 15, location identifier 16, and image generator 17. Central to the operation of the system is the on board computer 10 which, after launch and orbit has been achieved, is adapted to control the attitude of the space craft and to monitor its position. This is accomplished by installing the capability of receiving actual position and attitude data from a remote reference system and comparing such data to predetermined data. The computer 10 is then able to generate attitude control instructions to adjust the position of the space craft to its mission attitude i.e. the image system 2 is pointed at the target. The system advantageously may use as its remote reference system the Global Positioning System (GPS) currently installed in space for use by ships and planes for monitoring their position. The GPS is a constellation of orbiting satellites 11 which transmit timed signals indicative of their position in the constellation. Receiving stations on the vehicle can identify the signals and location of multiple satellites and, using the timing of the transmission, establish the position of the receiving station with considerable accuracy and simplicity. The use of the GPS for space craft navigation and attitude control has been suggested in the prior art, in particular in " GPS Attitude and Orbit Determination for Space ", Brock et al, ION GPS Conference, September 20-23, 1994, a suitable GPS receiver for deployment in space is described. In the system of the subject invention, each GPS signal, in addition to carrying the identity of the specific GPS satellite 11 from which the signal emanates, also carries the time of transmission of the GPS signal from each of the respective GPS satellites 11. Each GPS receiver 9 includes well-known computational circuitry which, upon observation of the time delays of the respective GPS signals from the respective satellites, computes its own position. The position and attitude data receiver 9 of the space craft 1 is constructed with multiple antennae 12 in fixed location relative to the space craft reference coordinates. The pattern of relative receiving times of each antenna in the group enables calculation of the relative position of each antenna. From this information the instantaneous attitude of the space craft 1 can be determined. In this manner the data relative to actual position and attitude can be collected and sent to the computer 10. Attitude control is accomplished through reference to the orthogonal axis x, y, z as shown in Figure 1. The nominal orientation of these axis are with respect to a plane defined by a line connecting the earth's center of mass with the center of mass of the space craft and the direction of orbital movement, i.e.. the orbital plane. A mission attitude x', y', z' is established in which position line of sight 4 of the image data sensor 7 is directed at the target during image data collection. The attitude control system 8 is an active system employing reaction jets to generate incremental movement of the space craft to adjust roll, yaw, and pitch identified with the reference axis as shown in Figure 1. This three axis control system is well established and described in the prior art, such as U.S. Patent Nos. 3,367,155 and 3,984,071. The attitude control system 8 is activated by adjustment signals generated by computer 10. Imaging system 2 can utilize any suitable optical apparatus 12 such as a telescope that can provide image data to the photosensitive sensor element 7. The sensor 7 converts the image data collected into electrical signals which are processed by image processor 18 for transmission by imaging transmitter 19 to the receiving station 5. Although the parameters of the imaging system 2 can be adjusted to meet the mission requirements, it is desirable to provide a field of view which minimizes the distortion effects of relative movement between the space craft and the target at the desired mission altitude. The system 2 is mounted on the space craft in either a fixed or adjustable position. In the fixed position, alignment of the line of sight 4 of the image sensor 7 is accomplished solely by attitude adjustment. An adjustable mount can provide supplemental adjustment of the line of sight 4 to obtain alignment with the target 3. The position of the line of sight 4 is always known with respect to the reference coordinates of the space craft. The computer 10 is programmed with a predetermined mission attitude (x',y',z') at which the line of sight 4 is aligned with the target 3 during the image data collection process. The ground receiving station 5 consists of tracking antennae 20 adapted to receive the image data signals and deliver the data signals to ground station computer 13. The ground station computer is programmed to process the image signals, compensating for distortion. Each image is identified relative to their location within the target 3 and then assembled into a composite mosaic of the complete target 3. Ground station computer 13 utilizes advanced distortion reducing modelling algorithms such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,688,092 to compensate for relative movement between the optical system 2 and the target 3. This allows the use of the less accurate GPS reference data system and eliminates the complex star sighting systems of the prior art. In prior art systems, each image was located by reference to the celestial data and then assembled. When the advanced algorithms are used, it has been found that the dominant cause of image distortion is the abrupt motion initiated by the attitude control system 8. In the system of this invention ground station computer 13 is provided with a data base of known landmarks which are continuously compared to the image data received from the space craft 1. Each image is identified through the map coordinates of the known landmark and the position of the image relative to its contiguous image is established. Through the use of landmark recognition techniques as described in the '092 patent cited above, the image mosaic can be accurately assembled by the computer 13. The image generation process is initiated by the on board computer 10 after the attitude of the space craft is adjusted so that the line of sight 4 is aligned for target interception and the position of the space craft is over the target. Figure 2 shows the sweep of the image capture and illustrates how multiple passes or multiple space craft can obtain segments of the target image for assembly. For missions which are directed at specific targets of limited geography, the imaging system 2 is only activated for a short period of time. An imaging period of between 50 to 60 seconds would cover approximately 350 km on the ground if the space craft is orbiting at an altitude of 500 to 600 km. Since the image capture process is only of limited duration, computer 10 is programmed to delay attitude adjustments while the imaging system 2 is activated. This prevents the distortion generating motions of the attitude control system 8 during image capture. During this period, the space craft 1 will drift from its mission attitude under the influence of solar torque and other factors, but the image processing algorithms of the ground computer 13 will compensate for this motion. The result is a high quality image with an overall system simplification.

Claims: An attitude and imaging control system for a space craft for generating images representative of a predetermined target, the system comprising image data generating means (2) mounted on the space craft (11), having a line of sight (4), said means adapted to generate a signal containing image data representing at least a partial target image and transmit said image signal to a ground receiving station (5), means (9) mounted on the space craft to receive data indicative of the actual attitude and orbital position of the space craft and to generate a signal relative thereto, computer means (10) mounted on the space craft to process the position and attitude signal and to compare said signal to predetermined data representative of the orbital position and attitude required to align the line of sight of the image generating means with the target, attitude data processing means (10) adapted to generate an attitude control adjustment signal indicative of the attitude adjustment required to align the line of sight with the target and position data processing means to generate a signal to initiate image data generation for a predetermined period when said line of sight is aligned with said target, said computer means (10) disabling the attitude control means during the operation of the image signal generating means (2) to avoid attitude adjustment manoeuvres which have an adverse effect on the image signal and attitude control means (8) mounted on the craft adapted to receive the attitude control adjustment signal and to adjust the attitude of the space craft in response thereto. An attitude and imaging control system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a ground receiving station adapted to receive the image signal and to transmit said signal to a receiving station computer, said receiving station computer adapted to process said signal to generate partial images of the target, identify said partial images relative to each other and to assemble said partial images into a composite of contiguous partial images representative of the complete target. An attitude and imaging control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receiving station computer processes the image signal using modelling algorithms which reduce distortion and enhance the received image thereby improving the control system's tolerance to movement of the space craft during the image data generation period. An attitude and imaging control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receiving station computer identifies the partial images relative to each other by means of landmark recognition from which the map coordinates of the partial images can be derived. An attitude and imaging control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the altitude and orbital position data receiving means is a global position system receiver adapted to receive signals from multiple global position system satellites, process said signals, and generate signals relative to the orbital position and attitude of the space craft. An attitude and imaging control system for a space craft for generating images representative of a predetermined target, comprising image data generating means (2) mounted on the space craft (1), having a line of sight (4), said means adapted to generate a signal containing image data representing at least a partial target image and transmit said image signal to a ground receiving station (5), a global position system receiver (9) mounted on the space craft and adapted to receive signals from multiple global position system satellites (11), process said signals, and generate signals relative to the orbital position and attitude of the space craft, computer means (10) mounted on the space craft to process the position and attitude signal and to compare said signal to predetermined data representative of the orbital position and attitude required to align the line of sight (4) of the image generating means with the target (3), attitude data processing means (10) adapted to generate an attitude control adjustment signal indicative of the attitude adjustment required to align the line of sight with the target and position data processing means (2) to generate a signal to initiate image data generation for a predetermined period when said line of sight is aligned with said target, said computer means (10) disabling the attitude control means during the operation of the image signal generating means (2) to avoid attitude adjustment manoeuvres which have an adverse effect on the image signal, attitude control means (8) mounted on the craft adapted to receive the attitude control adjustment signal and to adjust the attitude of the space craft in response thereto and a ground receiving station (5) adapted to receive the image signal and to transmit said signal to a receiving station computer (13), said receiving station computer adapted to process said signal using modelling algorithms which reduce distortion and enhance the received image signal, thereby improving the control system's tolerance to movement of the space craft during the image data generation period, to generate partial images of the target, identify said partial images relative to each other by means of landmark recognition from which the map coordinates of the partial images can be derived and to assemble said partial images into a composite of contiguous partial images representative of the complete target.

Inventors: BAYLOCO MICHEL B, FURUMOTO NOBUO, RAVELLA JOSEPH R, SAVIDES JOHN, BAYLOCO, MICHEL B., FURUMOTO, NOBUO, RAVELLA, JOSEPH R., SAVIDES, JOHN
Applicants: LORAL SPACE SYSTEMS INC, SPACE SYSTEMS / LORAL INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G05D1
IPC codes: G05D1, G06F17, G01S19