Basic concept and development of ASTER data processing system

ASTER instrument is a high spatial resolution imager on board the EOS-AM1 platform, which will be launched in mid 1998, and will provide the Earth's surface spectral data in the VNIR, SWIR, and TIR wavelength regions to the science community in the world. ASTER data will be captured by U.S. ground system via TDRSS, processed to level 0 data and then transferred to the ASTER ground data system in Japan for level 1 data products generation within an appropriate timeline. The system will produce approximately 780 scenes (about 80 GByte) per day to meet scientists requirements on data processing, data distribution, and so on. In this paper, key issues of the development of ASTER ground data processing system are pointed out and then a basic concept of its possible implementation is discussed to resolve them, considering COTS technology. Level 1 data product is ASTER standard product and the level 1 data product generation is an essential part of the ASTER data processing system. Discussion concentrates on this part. Finally, the development program of the system also is mentioned.