Abstract: A robust on-orbit geometric calibration (GC) method based on the rational polynomial coefficient (RPC) model for spaceborne segmented linear-array camera is proposed. Through a series of processing steps, including obtaining reliable ground control point (GCP) observations based a priori gross error elimination, constructing the adjustment model for GC parameters, GC for absolute geometric distortion, GC for relative geometric distortions among segmented charge-coupled devices (CCDs), and the correction for the created bias field-of-view (FOV) distortion, this invention is able to achieve robust GC for camera distortion, as well as accurate geometric splicing and registration of segmented CCDs under the same geometric benchmark.

Abstract: A method of fully autonomous geometric calibration for linear-array remote sensing satellite (LARSS) based on the joint observation for stars and earth by satellite, with the support of satellite's high maneuverability is proposed. This invention realizes the full-link processing from data acquisition to internal and external calibration. Based on the ultra-high attitude stability and agile maneuverability, this invention designs a joint observation mode for the star and the earth, which is suitable for autonomous geometric calibration. With the joint observations, this invention achieves the external calibration through the star observations acquired in the solar shadow area, and achieves the internal calibration through the ground overlapping images acquired in the solar illumination area. Therefore, the high-precision geometric imaging model of the LARSS would be restored by the method, under the condition without using the ground calibration sites.