ABSTRACT
The most challenging problem of navigation in three-axis stabilized geostationary satellite is accurate calculation of misalignment angles, deduced by orbit measurement error, attitude measurement error, thermal elastic deformation, time synchronization error, and so on. Before the satellite is launched, the misalignment model must be established and validated. But there were no observation data, which is a non-negligible risk of yielding the greatest returns on investment. On the basis of misalignment modeling using landmarks and stars, which is not available between different organizations and is developed by ourselves, experimental data are constructed to validate the navigation processing flow as well as misalignment calculation accuracy. In the condition of using landmarks, the maximum misalignment calculation errors of roll, pitch, and yaw axis are 2, 2, and 104 micro radians, respectively, without considering the accuracy of image edge detection. While in the condition of using stars, the maximum errors of roll, pitch, and yaw axis are 1, 1, and 3 micro radians, respectively, without considering the accuracy of star center extraction. Results are rather encouraging, which pave the way for high-accuracy image navigation of three-axis stabilized geostationary satellite. The misalignment modeling as well as calculation method has been used in the new generation of geostationary meteorological satellite in China, FY-4 series, the first satellite of which was launched at the end of 2016.