ATHENA: a high-resolution wide-area coverage commercial remote sensing system

William R. Claybaugh II; L. Rex Megill

doi:10.1117/12.45876

1 July 1991 ATHENA^TM: a high-resolution wide-area coverage commercial remote sensing system

William R. Claybaugh II, L. Rex Megill

Proceedings Volume 1495, Small-Satellite Technology and Applications; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.45876
Event: Orlando '91, 1991, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Athena is a low cost imaging satellite system capable of providing high resolution earth imaging in a single band between .5 and .73 microns. The Athena payload consists of two optically fast cameras, coupled with linear charge coupled devices to provide 5 meter resolution over a 700 km swath from a 700 km polar orbit. A patented chip allows implementation of vector quantization image compression technology on board the spacecraft. This technology provides up to 12 to 1 image compression, dramatically reducing satellite to ground datalink bandwidth, on-board storage, and spacecraft power requirements while returning 'statistically lossless' images to the ground. The satellite and payload design contain few moving parts, thereby achieving high reliability and low cost, and requiring minimal operational support. The ground station design permits fixed or mobile operation and can be supported by a single technician.

Citation Download Citation

William R. Claybaugh II and L. Rex Megill "ATHENA^TM: a high-resolution wide-area coverage commercial remote sensing system", Proc. SPIE 1495, Small-Satellite Technology and Applications, (1 July 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.45876

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