Spacecraft Imaging Request Processing for Feasibility Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently determine whether or not a point desired by the user can be observed by the spacecraft, resulting in delays and inefficiencies in acquiring desired image data.
Innovation Solution
A processing device and a computer program that more smoothly provide an image or image data to a user who desires imaging by a spacecraft in order to at least partially address the above-described problem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a user transmits an imaging request to a company operating a spacecraft, then the user can acquire desired image data, but it takes a long time from request transmission to image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of imaging feasibility by the processing device before the user submits a formal imaging request. The processing device evaluates whether the spacecraft can image the desired point based on orbital parameters and imaging conditions, and only then accepts the imaging request. This preliminary action prevents users from waiting through the entire imaging process only to discover the request cannot be fulfilled, thereby reducing overall time loss while maintaining operational clarity.
2Productivity
If an operator manually determines imaging feasibility for each user request, then accurate determination is possible, but processing time increases significantly with multiple requests
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device automatically determines imaging feasibility by itself using stored orbital parameters, imaging conditions, and point coordinates without requiring manual operator intervention. The system retrieves necessary data, performs calculations to determine whether the spacecraft can image the desired point, and communicates the result to the user. This self-service mechanism dramatically increases productivity while maintaining determination accuracy through consistent application of predefined imaging criteria.
3Productivity
If the spacecraft uses a fixed visual field direction and limited visual field range, then the imaging device structure is simple, but the frequency of imaging desired points is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines imaging feasibility by calculating whether the desired point falls within the spacecraft's visual field range based on the spacecraft's orbital position, attitude, and imaging device parameters. Rather than physically adjusting the imaging device, the system adapts by evaluating geometric relationships between the spacecraft's line of sight and the target point coordinates. This dynamic computational approach increases imaging frequency without requiring complex mechanical adjustments to the imaging device.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a processing device and a computer program that more smoothly provide an image and/or image data to a user who desires imaging by a spacecraft. A processing device according to one embodiment is "a processing device including at least one processor used in connection with a spacecraft that images the earth, and the at least one processor is configured to: from a terminal device of a user, receive an order condition including coordinates of a point to be imaged or the coordinates and a date and time to image the point; transmit a determination result indicating whether or not the imaging by the spacecraft based on the order condition is possible to the terminal device of the user; and transmit at least one candidate condition including a candidate date and time when the imaging of the point is possible to the terminal device of the user in a case where the determination result indicates that the imaging by the spacecraft based on the order condition is possible".