Backtrack orbit search algorithm

摘要

A method of searching an inventory of satellite remote sensing data for data granules, scenes, or images that cover a specified area of interest whereby each data granule is indexed to the relevant ascending equatorial crossing of the satellite. Representative points in the area of interest are traced backwards along the orbital track to determine where the satellite must have crossed the equator on the ascending pass in order for the sensor to have seen the area of interest. Spatial search of the data is thereby reduced to a simple search on a range of crossing longitudes.