SISPO

SISPO simulates physically based imaging of small solar system bodies and terrestrial planet surfaces to support mission planning, imaging instrument characterization, and development of computer vision algorithms.

Key Features:

• Realistic surface rendering: Uses Blender and the Cycles rendering engine with procedural micropolygon displacement texture generation to produce detailed, physically based surface images.
• Environmental optical models: Simulates optical environments influenced by dust and gas relevant to comets and active asteroids to model light propagation and effects on image quality.
• Image aberration simulation: Replicates tangential and sagittal astigmatism, internal and external coma, and simple geometric distortions encountered in space imaging.
• Mission planning and instrument characterization: Simulates trajectories, light conditions, and camera intrinsic parameters to assess imaging instrument performance for small-body missions.
• Computer vision algorithm development: Provides realistic simulated imagery for developing and testing computer vision algorithms for autonomous navigation and data analysis.

Scientific Applications:

• Small-body mission design: Support planning and analysis for exploration of small solar system bodies through realistic imaging scenarios.
• Terrestrial planet surface studies: Enable simulation of planetary surface imaging conditions for terrestrial planet investigations.
• Comet and active-asteroid optical analysis: Study the impact of dust and gas on light propagation and image formation in active small bodies.
• Instrument performance assessment: Evaluate and optimize camera intrinsic parameters and imaging setups under varied trajectories and illumination.
• Autonomous navigation and data processing: Facilitate development and validation of computer vision methods for navigation and automated analysis.

Methodology:

Built in Blender using the Cycles rendering engine; employs procedural micropolygon displacement textures, environmental optical models for dust and gas, simulation of tangential and sagittal astigmatism, internal and external coma and simple geometric distortions, and simulation of trajectories, light conditions, and camera intrinsic parameters.