Design and Implementation of High-Fidelity Imaging Simulation for Small Celestial Body Exploration

Based on the spatial position and attitude of the spacecraft, illumination, space environment, and material composition of the small celestial body, and other conditions during small celestial body exploration, a high-fidelity imaging simulation method of onboard camera for space targets and environment was designed. The relative motion configuration for small celestial body exploration was proposed and models for illumination variation and observation conditions are established. The study conducted high-fidelity simulating images of the exploring process based on a rendering engine, with integrated modeling of image noise, geometric distortion, radiometric distortion, and actual telemetry data. High-fidelity exploring image results were achieved, which provided critical data support for space mission design, mission analysis, simulating, and controlling operations in deep-space exploration.