On-orbit georeferencing

Abstract

A method of satellite-based georeferencing for IR images of Earth surface captured by a satellite-mounted IR imaging device pointing towards Earth includes capturing an IR image of Earth surface using the IR imaging device; determining an estimated pointing direction of the IR imaging device at the time of capturing the IR image, based on an on-board attitude determination system of the satellite; determining an estimated area of Earth surface that is covered by the captured IR image, based on the estimated pointing direction; obtaining a set of image features in one or more pre-stored images of areas of Earth surface that at least partially overlap with the estimated area of Earth surface, wherein the pre-stored images are associated with known position coordinates; performing matching of the set of image features against the captured IR image to identify matching features; and determining an actual area of Earth surface that is covered by the captured IR image or an actual pointing direction of the IR imaging device at the time of capturing the IR image based on the identified matching features. The application further relates to corresponding apparatus, satellites, programs, and computer-readable storage media.