3D-point-cloud-based apparent magnitude model of space objects.

A new 3D-point-cloud-based model is presented for calculating the apparent magnitude of space objects. This model does not consider topological relations of space objects, but it can accurately describe the shape of a space object and calculate its apparent magnitude. Once a 3D point cloud of a space object and its material parameters under a certain wavelength are obtained, the apparent magnitude can be solved. Through this model, the apparent magnitude of space objects with different shapes and the wrinkled surface can be calculated easily. Simulation results show that the increase in the number of points can improve the accuracy of this model.