Agile Maneuvers for Push-Broom Imaging Satellites

Dennis D. Langer, Joseph L. Garrett, Bjørn Andreas Kristiansen, Sivert Bakken, Simen Berg, Roger Birkeland, Jan Tommy Gravdahl, Tor Arne Johansen, Asgeir J. Sørensen

Abstract: Traditional large Earth observation satellites (EOSs) are designed with simple imaging strategies. However, small satellites can satisfy immediate user needs through agile imaging modes. In this article, we model several agile imaging mode concepts and test them experimentally on the push-broom hyperspectral imaging cubesat HYPerspectral Smallsat for Ocean observation satellite 1 (HYPSO-1). Six imaging modes are tested: slewing, multitarget, dual-angle, wide swath, on-board processing, and dynamic pointing. The results show that the slewing and multiangle mode increased estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by $1.4\times $ to $1.7\times $ , the on-board processing mode decreased data latency, and the multitarget, wide swath, and dynamic pointing modes enhanced spatial coverage.