Attitude Scheduling and Verification for Dynamic Imaging of Agile Satellites

Drift angle is a major factor which limits the quality of remote sensing images. This paper presents an attitude scheduling algorithm aimed to eliminate drift angle and its verification for dynamic imaging of agile satellites. First, the attitude scheduling algorithm was derived intuitively based on two dynamic imaging criterions. Then a drift angle model based on differentiation was described for empirical verification of the proposed algorithm. For dynamic imaging mode, satellite manoeuvre velocity was taken into consideration in drift angle model. Finally, dynamic imaging simulation along a inclined target intersecting with sub-satellite track was performed based on ellipsoid model of globe. Comparison was carried out between the proposed approach and conventional compensatory approach, the results of which demonstrated the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach in eliminating the drift angle.