Earth Feature Identification And Tracking Technology Development
R. G. Wilson, W. E. Sivertson · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1979
Needs for smart sensing in terrestrial and atmospheric remote sensing are discussed and related to current technology research and a scheduled Shuttle experiment. Space Shuttle offers unique opportunities to evaluate new concepts in sensor development and methods for superimposing data from different types of sensors taken either simultaneously or at different times. A time-phased technology approach is outlined involving a series of Shuttle-borne experiments to develop Earth feature identification and tracking technology. The first phase includes a Feature Identification and Location Experiment (FILE), undergoing fabrication and scheduled for flight on the NASA Shuttle (STS2/flight OSTA-1) in 1980. The experiment objective is to evaluate a technique for autonomously classifying Earth features into four categories: bare land; water; vegetation; and clouds, snow, or ice. The experiment package, experiment concepts, and plans for evolution of the FILE-related technology to provide discrimination among clouds, snow, and ice are described. The technology development plan, beyond feature identification/classification and cloud detection/discrimination, leads to capabilities for pointing instruments to predetermined sites, reacquiring Earth features or landmarks, and tracking features such as coastlines or rivers. Technology concepts are discussed relative to an overall system transfer function, and the technology development status is outlined.