Abstract

In optical remote sensing by photo-reconnaissance satellites or in ground-observation by orbiting space telescopes, the diffraction-limited theoretical resolution possible, is degraded by accidental & vibratory motion of the imaging camera, defocussing, atmospheric turbulence effects on satellite-pictures transmitted, etc. For instance, an orbiting space telescope (height, ${\text{h}}^{\prime }=275 \text{km}$ above earth) with an effective focal length, f = 57.6m and equipped with a CCD camera with pixel, d = 15 microns, has a theoretical resolution: $\text{R}=\left({\text{h}}^{\prime }\text{d}/\text{f}\right)\to =7.16 \text{cm}(!)$ on ground; however, in practice due to image-degradation, the feasible resolution is of 10-15m only(which can be improved with rigid satellite attitude-control, to 1-2m).

© 1987 Optical Society of America