An Evaluation Method for Ground Resolution of Space-based Optical Payloads

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2025.0525

Abstract

Abstract:

The image quality of space-based optical payloads is a crucial index for evaluating their imaging performance.Significant differences exist between laboratory test （under ideal conditions） and outdoor practical application （in complex environments）.It proposes a comprehensive evaluation of the ground resolution of the optical payload using bar targets，conducted through testing both in the laboratory and outdoors，with the field test results serving as the final assessment criterion.Practical testing is conducted based on a space-based optical payload.The research results indicate that the platform vibration，atmospheric turbulence，thermal noise，and other factors lead to the actual spatial resolution lower than the theoretical value，with their combined effects causing a system performance degradation of 15% - 32%.These findings provide an important basis for the objective and quantitative evaluation of the practical operational capability of space-based optical payloads and point out the main directions for performance optimization.

Key words: space-based optical payload, ground resolution, visible channel, infrared channel, evaluation method

ZANG Lei, LI Haodong, CHEN shuai, ZANG Bo, LIANG Dongdong, LIU Wentao. An Evaluation Method for Ground Resolution of Space-based Optical Payloads[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(S1): 250525-.

Figures/Tables 15

Fig.1 Tri-line target （visible）

Fig.2 Quad-bar target （infrared）

Table 1 Distance between payload and target

名称	第1次测试距离/km	第2次测试距离/km	第3次测试距离/km	第4次测试距离/km
载荷	7.402	8.512	9.309	10.190

Fig.3 Atmospheric visibility

Fig.4 First test image of visible channel

Fig.5 Second test image of visible channel

Fig.6 Third test image of visible channel

Fig.7 Fourth test image of visible channel

Table 2 Distance between payload and target

名称	第1次测试距离/km	第2次测试距离/km	第3次测试距离/km	第4次测试距离/km	第5次测试距离/km
载荷	7.313	8.175	9.850	10.937	15.887

Fig.8 Target signature and background temperature

Fig.9 First test image of infrared channel

Fig.10 Second test image of infrared channel

Fig.11 Third test image of infrared channel

Fig.12 Fourth test image of infrared channel

Fig.13 Fifth test image of infrared channel

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