Method for ground-to-satellite laser calibration system

摘要

The present invention comprises an approach for calibrating the sensitivity to polarization, optics degradation, spectral and stray light response functions of instruments on orbit. The concept is based on using an accurate ground-based laser system, Ground-to-Space Laser Calibration (GSLC), transmitting laser light to instrument on orbit during nighttime substantially clear-sky conditions. To minimize atmospheric contribution to the calibration uncertainty the calibration cycles should be performed in short time intervals, and all required measurements are designed to be relative. The calibration cycles involve ground operations with laser beam polarization and wavelength changes.

主权项

1. A method of calibrating an optical sensor on board a satellite orbiting the earth, the method comprising:
utilizing at least one ground-based laser to generate a first light signal having a first wavelength, and a second light signal having a second wavelength that is not equal to the first wavelength; pointing the optical sensor at the one ground-based laser; aiming the first and second light signals at the satellite whereby at least a portion of the first and second light signals are incident on an optical sensor on the satellite; measuring the response of the optical sensor to the first and second light signals; utilizing a difference between the response of the optical sensor to the first and second light signals to calibrate the optical sensor.