Constellations of nano-satellites can produce high-resolution images for less money, according to new research. The imaging techniques developed by scientists at Ben-Gurion University in Israel could also be used to improve the observations of ground-telescope arrays.

"This is an invention that completely changes the costs of space exploration, astronomy, aerial photography, and more," Angika Bulbul, a BGU Ph.D. candidate, said in a news release.

As revealed by the new study, published in the journal Optica, groups of small satellites the size of milk cartons, when arranged in a ring shape, can focus light onto another imaging satellite, producing images rivaling those captured by large telescopes and their full-frame, lens-based or concave mirror systems.

"Several previous assumptions about long-range photography were incorrect," Bulbul said. "We found that you only need a small part of a telescope lens to obtain quality images."

Researchers were able to capture high-resolution images using only a tiny fraction of a full lens on each nano-satellite model.

"Consequently, we can slash the huge cost, time and material needed for gigantic traditional optical space telescopes with large curved mirrors," Bulbul said.

Researchers didn't launch any nano-satellites into space for their study. Instead, they build a miniature satellite constellation in their lab. The proof-of-concept tests showed the circular array of sub-apertures yielded image resolution on par with full lens imagery.

The technology could democratize space imagery, as nano-satellites are much cheaper to build and launch.

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Israeli researchers develop revolutionary space imaging system
Jerusalem (XNA) Dec 28, 2018
Israeli researchers developed an imaging system based on a synthetic aperture that stands to revolutionize the economics and imagery available from space-based cameras, Ben-Gurion University reported on Sunday. A synthetic virtual aperture of an imaging system is much larger than a physical one. The revolutionary innovation in the new system is that the physical aperture only scans the scope of the synthetic aperture, yet the system achieves the separate abilities as if the entire area was s ... read more