Analysis and Reduction of Solar Stray Light in the Nighttime Imaging Camera of Luojia-1 Satellite

• Main Authors: Xing Zhong, Zhiqiang Su, Guo Zhang, Zhigang Chen, Yao Meng, Deren Li, Yong Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: Luojia-1 satellite; nighttime imaging camera; stray light
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/19/5/1130

As one of the experimental payloads on Luojia-1 satellite, the nighttime imaging camera works with a high sensitivity to acquire nighttime light on earth. Solar stray light is a fatal problem for optical satellite works in the polar orbit, even for nighttime scene imaging, resulting in image saturation and light signal detection failure. To solve this problem, an analysis of the range of solar incident angles was conducted firstly. Based on the result, a special-shaped baffle was designed to avoid direct sunlight incidence. Moreover, the capability of stray light elimination of the lens was enhanced by an order of magnitude via optimizing the internal structure. An evaluation of secondary scattering stray lights into the camera from surrounding parts was performed based on a real satellite model. The results showed that the stray light elimination reaches a 10−10 order, meeting design requirements. Utilizing on-orbit images, the ability of satellites in illuminated areas to obtain artificial lights in dawn-dusk area was verified, proving the effectiveness of the stray light elimination design.