Infrared contrast characteristic of satellites

Abstract

Abstract Using infrared characteristic of space target for detecting and identifying the space target is a kind of effective method. Infrared radiation contrast study of satellite has great significance for both detecting and identifying the satellite, and monitoring satellite condition. In this paper, the method to calculate the radiant heat flux of satellite is given firstly. Then, the mathematical model of the surface temperature of satellite is obtained and the numerical calculation is done. The calculated numerical data is similar to the telemetry data, which proves that the orbit flux and temperature models are correct. Finally, the infrared radiant contrast of every surface on the satellite’s body and solar panels were calculated and analyzed. The results show that, on the one hand, satellite infrared radiation in long wave infrared band is larger than that in medium wave infrared band. From the point of view of the range coverage, use the long wave infrared is more advantageous to detect satellite. And on the other hand, satellite infrared contrast in medium wave infrared band is much larger than that in long wave infrared band. From the point of view of the resolution of image detail, use the medium wave infrared is more advantageous to identify satellite.