STOP Analysis

The scenario in our previous article on STOP Analysis utilised existing ground texture maps, produced by real-world satellites as the only imaging target. In this instalment, we’ll expand on this simulation, adding new hypothetical elements to the scene with the goal of assessing the ability of the payload to reliably detect these new elements.

We introduce the basics of Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) Analysis and work through a real-world example for optical payloads on a LEO Satellite. STOP analysis is a critical design assessment for optical payloads, particularly those being deployed on systems requiring high-performance or operating in harsh environments.