Modeling Satellite Orbital Segments using Orbit-Attitude Models

Currently, in order to achieve accurate geolocation of satellite images we need to generate control points from individual scenes. This requirement increases the cost and processing time of satellite mapping greatly. In this paper we investigate the feasibility of modeling entire image strips that has been acquired from the same orbital segments. We tested sensor models based on satellite orbit and attitude with different sets of unknowns. We checked the accuracy of orbit modeling by establishing sensor models of one scene using control points extracted from the scene and by applying the models to adjacent scenes within the same orbital segments. Results indicated that modeling of individual scenes with $2^{nd}$ order unknowns was recommended. In this case, unknown parameters were position biases, drifts, accelerations and attitude biases. Results also indicated that modeling of orbital segments with zero-degree unknowns was recommended. In this case, unknown parameters were attitude biases.