Laboratory System For Demonstrating Spacecraft Processing Of Multispectral Image Data

The processing requirements for future imaging systems will overwhelm existing ground processing capabilities that are at present loaded to capacity. This bottleneck would be relieved by implementing intelligent systems onboard the spacecraft which are capable of transforming raw sensor data into useful information prior to transmission. As an initial step toward realizing this objective, an adaptable data processing system is being developed which will accommodate high speed multispectral image data in real time. The development includes all test and support equipment required to evaluate and demonstrate the operational performance of the system in terms of the applicability of the design to high speed onboard processing. Demonstrations will be conducted at NASA Langley Research Center throughout the first half of 1983.