Imaging simulation analysis of space targets by different observed orbits

Abstract For most optical simulations of space targets, static imaging characteristics are studied with a pre-set angle and attitude which are less consistent with the actual situation for satellite detectors’ dynamic image. Especially when the detector and the target are in different orbits, the imaging angles and attitudes also vary. In this article, two kinds of observed orbits are selected to simulate the detector image results, and the observed attitude and angle are updated over time through the simulation process. Furthermore, a temperature field of the space target is also calculated as preconditioned data to be taken into account in the optical simulation, instead of roughly estimating the temperature. The result of the study reveals that when the satellite detector and target operate at coplanar orbits, closer distances (ranging from 236 km to 28 km) allow for the acquisition of more specific details regarding the target’s characteristics. This research may offer a new approach to selecting orbits to obtain high-quality imaging data.