Attitude direction estimation for space target antenna load based on radar image features

The direction information of antenna load is an important basis for the perception of space target in orbit. In this paper, an attitude direction estimation method of antenna load based on axial feature matching and reconstruction is proposed, so the direction and observation area of the antenna load can be reversed. First, the two axis directions of the antenna load are extracted from the ISAR image by Randon transform and extreme value detection. Then, the axial feature is matched with the simulation feature template library, and the rough attitude of antenna load can be estimated. Third, using the geometric projection relation of 3D vector, the formula for calculation the attitude between the orbit coordinate system and the imaging coordinate system is established. Finally, the axial and direction of antenna load can be solved exactly based rough estimation result and geometric projection matrix. The validity of the method is verified by dynamic simulation data.