Satellite Articulation Tracking Using Monocular Computer Vision

Authors

David H. Curtis, Air Force Institute of Technology
Richard G. Cobb, Air Force Institute of Technology

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2-1-2018

Abstract

Autonomous on-orbit satellite servicing and inspection benefits from an inspector satellite that can track the motion of a primary satellite, including the motion of appendages such as solar arrays, antennas, and sensors. This paper presents a method of estimating the articulation parameters and shape of a satellite using resolved monocular imagery. A simulated point cloud representing a nominal satellite with articulating solar panels and a complex articulating appendage is developed and projected to the image coordinates that would be seen from an inspector following a given inspection route. A previously developed model is used to initialize an extended Kalman filter to track the satellite's motion and articulation from the image coordinates.

Comments

© 2018 Univelt Inc. All rights reserved.

Source Publication

AAS 41st Annual Guidance and Control Conference

Recommended Citation

Curtis, D. H., & Cobb, R. G. (2018). Satellite Articulation Tracking Using Monocular Computer Vision. In AAS 41st Annual Guidance and Control Conference (pp. 1-13). San Diego CA: Univelt.