Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Remote Sensing Payload Group, Satellite Research Institute (SRI), Iranian Space Research Center (ISRC), Tehran, Iran

2 M.Sc., Remote Sensing Payload Group, Satellite Research Institute,, Iranian Space Research Center, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In this paper, a step-by-step laboratory procedure for performing a satellite's payload’s alignment measurement is presented. Four highly accurate theodolites are used along with two or more alignment corner cube to accurately extract the final attitude. Theodolites are arranged around the satellite in such a way that they have a clear direct view of the alignment cubes mounted on the payload and the satellite. Two theodolites should point to the payload’s alignment cube and the other two theodolites must point to the satellite’s alignment cube. Each theodolite must see at least one other theodolite, directly. Finally, by forming the coordinates systems of the payload and satellite in the theodolites coordinate system along with using the coordinate transfer matrices, the payload alignment correction matrix will be extracted in detail. The total method accuracy is within the order of few arcseconds.

Keywords

Main Subjects

[1]   O. Reading, "Precision Surveying For The 33 Gev Synchrotron At Brookhaven National Laboratory," in Tr. Mezhdunar. Konf. po Uskoritelyam, Dubna, u963, 1964, no. BNL-7203: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY, 1964.
[2]   R. W. Toland, D. Leviton, and S. Koterba, "Theoferometer for high-accuracy optical alignment and metrology," in Space Systems Engineering and Optical Alignment Mechanisms, vol. 5528, pp. 305-315: SPIE, 2004.
[3]   R. Krishna, "Improved pointing accuracy using high-precision theodolite measurements," in GOES-8 and Beyond, vol. 2812, pp. 199-209, SPIE, 1996.
[4]   M. Samaan, S. Lockhart, G. Holt, and H. Mamich, "On-Ground Calibration and Optical Alignment for the Orion Optical Navigation Camera," in John L. Junkins Dynamical Systems Symposium, no. JSC-E-DAA-TN55364, 2018.
[5]   J. H. Burge, P. Su, C. Zhao, and T. Zobrist, "Use of a commercial laser tracker for optical alignment," in Optical system alignment and tolerancing, vol. 6676, pp. 132-143 SPIE, 2007.
[6]   A. M. Korzun, R. W. Toland, R. G. Ohl, V. Holmes, and L. R. Worrel, "Theoferometer for the construction of precision optomechanical assemblies," in Optomechanical Technologies for Astronomy, vol. 6273, pp.683-693, SPIE, 2006.  
[7]   A. E. Wetmore, Handheld Theodolite Concept, Army Research Lab Adelphi Md Computational and Information Sciences Directorate2011.
[8]   D. Avram, I. Bratosin, and D. Ilie, "Surveying theodolite between past and future," J. Young Sci, vol. 4, 2016.
[9]   P. Sekulic, S. B. Gregory, S. L. Hegwer, A. Ferayorni, and F. Woeger, "DKIST visible broadband imager alignment in laboratory: first results," in Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, vol. 9908, pp. 1576-1589: SPI, 2016.
[10]  L. Haomiao, W. Wei, and W. Bile, "Research on theodolite auto-collimation technique based on visual image analysis," in 2017 IEEE 2nd Information Technology, Networking, Electronic and Automation Control Conference (ITNEC), pp. 150-153, IEE, 2017.
[11]  J. S. Choi,and In-G. Kim, "A Study on Satellite Alignment Measurements Accuracy Improvement," Journal of  The Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences, Vol.48, No.12, pp.987-995, 2020.
[12]  F. R. A. Tavares, "Corot Baffle: Development, Alignment and Testing Activities," presented at the Environmental Testing for Space Programmes, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12–14 June, 2007.
[13]  S. Hetherington, D. Osgood, J. McMann, V. Roberts, J. Gill, and K. McLean, "Optical alignment of the global precipitation measurements (GPM) star trackers," in Optical System Alignment, Tolerancing, and Verification VII, vol. 8844, pp.36-51, SPIE, 2013.
[14]  H.-E. Kang, J.-B. Song, H.-s. Yang, and H. Kihm, "Measurement of primary-mirror vertex coordinates for a space camera by using a computer-generated hologram and a theodolite," Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 146-152, 2017.
[15]        J. Haghshenas, "Effects of Satellite Platform's vibrations on the image quality of a remote sensing payload: system level design and challenges ," in Optical System Design, Optical Design and Engineering VI, vol. 9626, pp. 720-733. SPIE , 2015.