On-orbit geometric calibration and preliminary accuracy verification of GaoFen-14 (GF-14) optical two linear-array stereo camera

Abstract

ABSTRACT The GaoFen-14 (GF-14) satellite is China’s most recent high-resolution earth observation satellite system. It is equipped with a two linear-array stereo camera and is intend for topographic mapping at 1:10,000-scale without ground control points (GCPs). The technical parameters of payloads will change once the satellite enters orbit. As a result, strict on-orbit geometric calibration is necessary. This study performs the on-orbit geometric calibration of the GF-14 stereo camera using ground calibration data. The exterior orientation errors are corrected by a comprehensive bias matrix, internal orientation errors are described by a fifth order polynomial. The results of Yinchuan calibration field show that the planar accuracy is better than 286 m (RMS) before calibration, and improved to 2.11 m (front camera) and 1.51 m (back camera) by external orientation, and further improved to 1.46 m (front camera) and 0.99 m (back camera) after internal calibration. The front intersection accuracy reaches 0.67 m in plane (RMS) and 1.10 m in elevation (RMS), respectively. Checking by multiple global check points (CKPs), the planar and elevation RMS reaches 2.38 m (5.09 m in CE90) and 2.08 m (3.43 m in LE90), respectively.