Acta Photonica Sinica, Volume. 52, Issue 5, 0552219(2023)

Space Object Detection System Based on Active Coherent Optical Synthetic Aperture Super-resolution Imaging

Hongyan DENG1、*, Yun SU1, Guoxian ZHENG1, Ming ZHAO2, Yue ZHANG1, and Zhiming TIAN2
Author Affiliations
  • 1Research and Development Center, Beijing Institute of Space Mechanics & Electricity, Beijing 100094, China
  • 2College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
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    There are a large number of communication satellites and abandoned satellites in the geostationary orbit. High-resolution all-time imaging of space targets can afford useful information such as target fine structure, star attitude and working situation. Fine detection of large space debris also can provide some information for spacecraft rapid evasive. But the traditional passive space target detection payload is mainly faced with some problems. For example, the single-aperture imaging system has difficulties in optical processing and is limited by rocket carrying capacity. The space block deployable imaging system and passive optical synthetic aperture imaging system have sub-mirror shape control and phase adjustment problems. In addition, the film diffraction imaging system has serious chromatic aberration, resulting in poor imaging quality. Moreover, the night high resolution imaging ability of infrared payload is insufficient. So it is of great significance to carry out research on new space-based space object detection technology, realizing high-resolution and all-time detection of the space object. In this paper, a new type of active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging space object detection system is proposed based on the theory of macro-reflection Fourier ptychographic imaging. The theoretical model of macro reflection active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging based on light source scanning is shown. Then a general idea of "large field of view search imaging guide and small amplitude width active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging" is proposed. Where the large field of view search imaging system carried by the satellite platform provides pointing information of the target, the small amplitude width active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging system captures and aims the target under the guidance of the steering mechanism of the satellite platform. Then super-resolution imaging is performed. The small amplitude width active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging system is the main component of the space-based space object detection system. It includes an active coherent light generation unit, an optical imaging unit and an image super-resolution reconstruction unit. The macro reflective active coherent optical synthetic aperture system under a camera scanning mode requires frequent maneuver of the payloads, rapid attitude adjustment and high precision pointing. Considering the feasibility of space-based applications, a light source scanning mode is chosen instead of camera scanning mode. The operating principle of the new type of active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging space object detection system is as follows. The active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging space object detection system mainly adopts two working modes: global detection and regional detection. When it takes global detection mode, the space-based space object detection system operates at an orbit lower than the GEO, with a typical value of GEO-150km orbit. The space object detection system achieves tracking and imaging of global targets at GEO through relative drift of forward position. When it takes regional detection mode, the space-based space object detection system operates at an orbit higher than the GEO, with a typical value of GEO+150 km orbit. The space object detection system carries out the round-trip detection of a given area by forward drift, backward drift, ascent and descent movements formed by the altitude difference with the GEO orbit, so as to realize the tracking and imaging observation of the target in the corresponding area. Specifically, the near-infrared active lighting source is adjusted by the optical phased array, and then the sequential output of each beam is realized through computer program control. Due to the difference of orbital altitudes, a speed difference is produced between the active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging space object detection system and the target. In order to ensure the uniform scanning of coherent beams against the target, the system position feedback corrector is used to calibrate the beam scanning in real time. Then N×N frames of low resolution images are collected. Finally, the super-resolution image of space object is reconstructed from these low resolution images by using Fourier ptychographic algorithm. At the same time, a prototype of macro reflective active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging system is built, and some ground experiments are carried out. Results show that the system has super-resolution imaging capability. Finally, the feasibility of active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging technology is further confirmed. The active coherent optical synthetic aperture super-resolution imaging space object detection system proposed in this paper has all-time imaging capability. It is expected that this technology can greatly reduce the aperture requirements of space object optical detection payload and effectively reduce the difficulty of system development. It not only provides a new technical approach for space-based space object detection, but also provides a method for low Earth orbit to ground high-resolution imaging.

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    Hongyan DENG, Yun SU, Guoxian ZHENG, Ming ZHAO, Yue ZHANG, Zhiming TIAN. Space Object Detection System Based on Active Coherent Optical Synthetic Aperture Super-resolution Imaging[J]. Acta Photonica Sinica, 2023, 52(5): 0552219

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    Paper Information

    Category: Special Issue for Advanced Science and Technology of Astronomical Optics

    Received: Dec. 6, 2022

    Accepted: Feb. 17, 2023

    Published Online: Jul. 19, 2023

    The Author Email: DENG Hongyan (dongfangyu2008@163.com)

    DOI:10.3788/gzxb20235205.0552219

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