Generic Rigorous Model for along Track Stereo Satellite Sensors

A generic rigorous sensor model for high resolution optical satellite sensors, with along track stereoscopic capabilities, is introduced. Along track stereo images are acquired on the same orbit by satellites which usually have on board more than one sensor looking at the earth with different angles, or satellites that can rotate their sensor in the along track direction. The advantages of along track stereo images compared with images that are taken from adjacent orbits (across track) are that they are acquired in almost the same ground and atmospheric conditions. The development of a generic rigorous model for satellite sensors with along track stereo capabilities is absolutely essential. This kind of model is introduced in this paper using the collinearity equations in combination with astrodynamics. The main and fundamental point during the development of this model is to benefit, from the same orbit acquisition. The collinearity equations are modified, regarding the characteristic of pushbroom scanner and the number of exterior orientation parameters. The state vector at the origin point of each image is computed. The model that is introduced in this paper provides stability, accuracy and rigorousness of the solution.