Spatial Characterization of MAC, a High-Resolution Optical Earth Observation Camera for Small Satellites

Spatial calibrations have been performed on the Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) of the RazakSAT satellite. Topics discussed in this paper include the measurements of system modulation transfer function (MTF), relative pixel line-of-sight (LOS), and end-to-end imaging tests. The MTF measurements were made by capturing the scanned knife-edge image on a pixel, and an issue in the MTF calculation algorithm is discussed. The method used to place the focal plane at the correct focal position is described, since they make use of MTF measurements. Relative LOS measurements are done by theodolite measurements of the telescope. Qualitative ground test result of end-to-end imaging is given.