Design of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Observation System Based on Total Station Architecture

The small-scale optical observation system offers significant advantages, including compact size, low cost, and high flexibility in deployment, making it a promising direction for the future development of ground-based optical monitoring systems. However, conventional small-scale optical systems suffer from substantial axis misalignment, limited azimuth precision, and low pixel resolution, which collectively degrade the validity and reliability of observational data. To address these limitations in the context of low-orbit satellite observation, targeted enhancements to small-scale optical systems are essential to improve data quality and support more effective monitoring. This paper presents a novel small-scale low-orbit satellite observation system based on a total station architecture, integrating near-infrared imaging and polarization detection techniques. By leveraging the total station’s high measurement accuracy and advanced automation capabilities, the proposed system significantly enhances the capability for optical detection of low-orbit targets. The design demonstrates practical value and provides a reference framework for the development of compact, high-performance low-orbit object observation systems.