Observation control device and spacecraft, observation control method, and observation control program

An observation control method applicable to a detector installed onboard a spacecraft for performing observation, the observation control method comprising:

• moving an observation range in a direction orthogonal to a travel direction of the spacecraft, the observation range being a range observed by the detector;
• moving the observation range in the travel direction of the spacecraft by controlling an angle of a reflective surface of a mirror that guides light from the observation range to the detector;
• and
• correcting a distortion in an image occurring due to a relaying of the light by the mirror,
• wherein:
• the observation range is movable inside a scanning range having a first edge defined by a first distance in which the observation range is movable in the travel direction of the spacecraft and a second edge defined by a second distance in which the observation range is movable in the direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the spacecraft;
• after the observation is performed in the observation range, the observation range is moved in at least one of the travel direction of the spacecraft or the direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the spacecraft so as to be partially superimposed onto the observation range where the observation has been performed;
• and
• when a target is detected in a specific range of the scanning range, a partial range of the scanning range that contains a position where the target has been detected may be observed, the observation range is moved in association with a movement of the target such that a detection position of the target is positioned in a center of the observation range.

A non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage medium storing an observation control program applicable to a detector installed onboard a spacecraft for performing observation, the observation control program causing a computer to execute a process comprising:

• moving an observation range in a direction orthogonal to a travel direction of the spacecraft, the observation range being a range observed by the detector;
• moving the observation range in the travel direction of the spacecraft by controlling an angle of a reflective surface of a mirror that guides light from the observation range to the detector;
• and
• correcting a distortion in an image occurring due to a relaying of the light by the mirror,
• wherein:
• the observation range is movable inside a scanning range having a first edge defined by a first distance in which the observation range is movable in the travel direction of the spacecraft and a second edge defined by a second distance in which the observation range is movable in the direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the spacecraft;
• after the observation is performed in the observation range, the observation range is moved in at least one of the travel direction of the spacecraft or the direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the spacecraft so as to be partially superimposed onto the observation range where the observation has been performed;
• and
• when a target is detected in a specific range of the scanning range, a partial range of the scanning range that contains a position where the target has been detected may be observed, the observation range is moved in association with a movement of the target such that a detection position of the target is positioned in a center of the observation range.