Panchromatic image simulation of Worldview based on low-level flight images

Earth science research and application requirements have often been driven by currently available remote sensing technology. Worldview-1 is the highest-resolution commercial remote sensing satellite now operating, offering panchromatic imagery with 0.5 m resolution at nadir. An image simulation method for Worldview-1 panchromatic band was mentioned. Firstly, the visible and near infrared images obtained by low-level flight were accepted as data resources. After atmospheric correction or empirical linear method the reflectivity of ground could be deduced. Then through four steps simulation: radiative transfer, spectral band synthesis, spatial resolution simulation, modulation transfer function simulation, the panchromatic image of Worldview-1 could be evaluated. Experimentation was carried out to test the method using an airship as platform. Though similarity and texture analysis between simulated image and real Worldview-1 image, the result showed the method that simulated the interactions between parameters of objects, atmosphere and the characteristic of sensor enables one to effectively reproduce the panchromatic image of Worldview-1.