Modeling and simulation for optical sensor imaging in space rendezvous and docking

In order to realize the dynamic imaging simulation for optical sensor in space rendezvous and docking, in this paper, a dynamic imaging modeling and simulation method for optical sensor is presented based on the general idea of surface mesh-creating. The simulation models include geometry and optical characteristics models of space object and star background, imaging model of space based optical sensor, and the noise model during the process of imaging are given out. Taking advantage of these models, dynamic imaging simulation of optical sensor is finally accomplished. For two satellite objects, the imaging simulations are realized with this method in different conditions. Results show that the method could accurately and efficiently simulate the images of optical sensor, so this method could be applied in the development of space rendezvous and docking system.