Work

Cooperative observations by photogrammetric methods with the TOM satellite formation

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Characterization of 3-dimensional phenomena in the Earth’s atmosphere and on its surface can be addressed by combination of camera images simultaneously taken from different perspectives. The TOM formation, composed of 3 small satellites, uses sensor data fusion by photogrammetric methods to generate 3D-images for assessment of spatial distribution of objects. Typical application scenarios include detection and analyses of ash clouds from volcano eruptions, of contrails generated by aircrafts, or of ice floes calving from glaciers into the sea. The satellite hardware has been completed and the 3 satellites wait in the cleanroom of Center for Telematics for an expected launch at end of 2024. TOM’s payload is a redundant camera system. The satellites will be placed in a triple pendulum configuration for efficient fuel use in formation maintenance. The TOM mission will analyse for different application scenarios optimal selection of crucial parameters to acquire by the formation appropriate inputs for subsequent 3-dimensional image processing. Challenges for satellite system design are related to implementation of formation capabilities at nanosatellite level, in particular for accurate attitude control. It includes a propulsion system for orbit control and maintenance, inter-satellite links for formation coordination, and miniature reaction wheels for pointing. Due to uncertainties in target area position, autonomous and situation aware adaptive control schemes are implemented. Inputs to the control system are provided by GNSS, gyros, magnetometers, and Sun sensors. Payload experiments on improved precision pointing relate to autonomous landmark detection in payload data for fine pointing, based on visual servoing principles. This innovative, cooperative attitude and orbit control system had been tested and characterized first in software simulations, and subsequently in complex Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL)-tests for integrated satellites at formation level by a combination of two precision turntables. The hardware of the 3 satellites for the TOM formation is completed and is ready for launch.

Source: Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S)

DOI: 10.1117/12.3062642