Chinese Optics, Volume. 17, Issue 1, 167(2024)

Effect of atmospheric turbulence on imaging quality of high-resolution remote sensing satellites

Hong-min MAO1,2, Zhi-ya DING1, Yan-yan YANG3, Su-qi JIANG1, Jian-tao PENG4, Nan CAO1, Li-fa HU3, and Zhao-liang CAO1,2、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
  • 2Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application, Suzhou 215009, China
  • 3School of Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
  • 4Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Shanghai 201109, China
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    Remote sensing satellites play a crucial role in both national defense and civil exploration. However, the imaging quality of high-resolution remote sensing satellites is significantly affected by atmospheric turbulence. We focus on the impact of camera aperture, satellite orbit altitude and atmospheric turbulence intensity on the imaging quality of space cameras during remote sensing satellite earth detection. Firstly, the turbulence wavefront simulation method based on the spherical wave model and Kolmogorov turbulence theory is analyzed. Subsequently, the disturbed wavefront, impacted by the camera aperture, satellite orbit height and atmospheric turbulence intensity, is analyzed, and a universal formula is derived. In addition, an equation for imaging resolution with camera aperture, satellite orbit height and atmospheric coherence length is developed. Finally, the effect of atmospheric turbulence on the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is studied. The variation of the relative error of MTF with camera aperture, satellite orbit height and atmospheric coherence length is simulated and analyzed, with reference to an MTF value of 0.15. This study provides a theoretical basis for designing, analyzing, and assessing high-resolution remote sensing satellites.

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    Hong-min MAO, Zhi-ya DING, Yan-yan YANG, Su-qi JIANG, Jian-tao PENG, Nan CAO, Li-fa HU, Zhao-liang CAO. Effect of atmospheric turbulence on imaging quality of high-resolution remote sensing satellites[J]. Chinese Optics, 2024, 17(1): 167

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    Paper Information

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    Received: May. 8, 2023

    Accepted: --

    Published Online: Mar. 28, 2024

    The Author Email:

    DOI:10.37188/CO.2023-0083

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