Today’s satellites tag images with geo-location information through the use of global positioning systems and star tracking technology. The quality of the equipment will lead to the capture of a geo-location that is accurate versus one that is off by a range of several feet to several hundred feet. There is currently no technology available that can automatically determine errors in location accuracy and correct for them.
Visual technology is key in the navigation and placement of satellites and this is especially true when the satellites are in close proximity. The vision system and geo-location technology is especially useful in the navigation of Formation Flying satellites.
The systems used to location these satellites can be either passive or active, meaning if there is a potential for collision, the satellites can be maneuvered out of the line of collision by researchers on the ground.
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) or reflectors are integrated into the satellites and are mounted on a “chaser” satellite that operates independently from the satellites it is tracking. The chaser satellite is also programmed to differentiate between celestial bodies such as planets that come into the camera’s field of view.
These on board vision-based systems can be used for both navigation and image capture to provide researchers on the ground with a “quantitative analysis” of the satellites. The geo-location and tracking technology also provides assistance for docking satellites and for sending images back to earth for analysis.
Universe Kogaku designs and manufactures optical lenses for satellites as well as industrial, medical, high tech and electronic applications. UKA also carries tandard and custom lens assemblies for scanners, CCTV, CCD/CMOS, medical imaging, surveillance systems, machine vision and night vision systems.