ORPO: OPTICAL RELATIVE POSITION AND ORIENTATION

摘要

This paper briefly highlights a novel method for estimating the relative position and orientation of a known target satellite using only passive imagery. Using a single monocular image, and utilising knowledge of the target spacecraft, estimation of the target's six relative rotation and translation parameters with respect to the camera are found. Multiple estimates of the target location over time are then filtered to fit an orbit model based on Hill's Equations, allowing the relative orbit parameters of the target to be estimated. Statistical information gathered with each estimate is included in the filter process when estimating the orbit parameters, which allow prediction of the target location with time, and will enable mission planning and safety analysis of potential orbit manoeuvres in close proximity to the target. The method proposed here expands on previous satellite-based computer vision techniques by utilising the whole observable target, rather than requiring predefined structures or patterns to be evident on the target. Simulation results for a target 10 metres away show errors in the region of 10cm in 3-axis position estimation and 5 degrees in 3-axis rotation estimation. See for more details.