Ryan Swindle, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RDSM), Douglas Hope, Hart Scientific Consulting International, Michael Hart, Hart Scientific Consulting International, Stuart Jefferies, Georgia State University
Keywords: Image Restoration, Optical Systems, Imaging
Abstract:
High resolution, ground-based imagery of satellites plays an important role in space situational awareness (SSA). Current approaches generally rely on large aperture telescopes equipped with adaptive optics. These requirements place limitations on Air Force (AF) surveillance capability by restricting coverage of the sky to that which can be achieved from the small number of geographical locations where the AF has a surveillance facility. However, recent advances in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) telescopes offer the potential for field-deployable, large aperture (>1m) telescopes for ground-based imaging of space objects. A major cost driver of a CRFP telescope is the optical quality of the primary mirror, where the cost depends on the amount of polishing and or mechanical postprocessing applied to the mirror. Here we show, using both numerical simulations and real data, that a CFRP telescope with significant optical aberration can be used for high-resolution imaging if the telescope is equipped with a wavefront sensor (WFS), and the recorded image and WFS data are processed, as in this case, using the Daylight Object Restoration Algorithm (DORA).
Date of Conference: September 19-22, 2017
Track: Adaptive Optics & Imaging