[SatNews] The China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing has selected OPTIS’s OptisWorks software for stray light analysis to optimize the optical performance of satellites and imaging equipment used in space.

The China Academy of Space Technology, the leading space agency in China, is responsible for the coordination of the national Chinese Space Program. They participated in the development of the Stray Light Analysis feature of OptisWorks. As optical systems become more and more complicated, the phenomenon known as “stray light” poses increasingly complex problems for the designer. Stray light within any imaging system, such as a camera, telescope or night vision equipment, significantly affects the optical performance, reducing the accuracy, fidelity and eventually jeopardising the reliability of the image. These inefficiencies have serious implications for defense and safety applications; an observer’s view through an optical system affected by stray light could be of such bad quality that objects supposedly in the scene may not be recognised and, conversely, those objects outside of the scene may appear as ghost images.

Clearly the ability to distinguish and correct the true signal compared to the internal “noise” generated provides the only solution to a 100 percent reliable system and OPTIS R&D, backed by OPTIS local team in Shanghai, have worked closely with the engineers at China Academy of Space Technology to optimise the detection of these internal discrepancies. China Academy of Space Technology selected OPTIS’ OptisWorks solution due to its unique integration into the SolidWorks CAD package, offering designers the chance to fully interact with their model and visualize the influence of each component on the stray light. CAD integration also enabled them to optimize optical and mechanical aspects concurrently and try out multiple iterations to find the right design solution. OPTIS software is unique in its ability to simulate human perception and lit appearance, the ability to provide the exact color and appearance of any object taking into account measured material properties and its seamless integration within major CAD platforms.