SatImg Overview

Overview

Goals

• Study the use of a microbolometer array in low Earth orbit for taking infrared images of propulsion system plumes as well as Earth's atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
• Develop an accurate model of infrared images of Earth from space taking into account the location, and velocity of the camera.
• Develop algorithms for image selection and compression so only interesting images are compressed and transmitted.

Approach

• Gather a database of infrared images of Earth with location and orientation data.
• Create a model that uses this database to produce a series of images for a given location and velocity.
• Develop and test algorithms for selecting and compressing images based on the model.
• Compare images to real images gathered from infrared cameras on a CubeSat and adjust database and model.

Application

• Testing communication systems for satellites studying propulsions system plumes or oceanic conditions.