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Imagery Acquisition & Analysis

Encyclopedia
Updated Feb 12, 2024

Contents

Introduction

Johnson Space Center (JSC) offers capabilities and expertise in camera systems, imagery acquisition and assessment, and imagery analysis. Analysis of spaceflight imagery can quantify distances, sizes, motion and hardware conditions, critical information not easily deduced from other sources of mission data. JSC also provides computer graphics and model development for engineering visualization as well as state-of-the-art facilities for testing advanced simulation environments, allowing integration of multiple models into a single simulation. 

The Image Science and Analysis Laboratory (ISAL) is a leader in the application of imagery expertise contributing to successful mission execution and crew safety. ISAL specializes in delivering 2-D and 3-D analysis to improve flight control team understanding of a mission’s status. The lab focuses on the interpretation and analysis of images acquired from various spacecraft, satellites, and telescopes and utilizes advanced image processing techniques, computer vision, and scientific analysis to extract valuable information from visual data captured in space. Researchers at ISAL also contribute to understanding planetary surfaces, atmospheric conditions, and celestial bodies by analyzing images to gain insights into geological, climatic, and astronomical phenomena. Overall, ISAL plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the universe through the detailed analysis of visual data collected during space missions. Join us in advancing human spaceflight into the cosmos by harnessing our unique expertise and capabilities in image science.

Imagery Analysis

Image Science and Analysis Laboratory (ISAL) 

Overview | NASA JSC Image Science and Analysis Laboratory (ISAL) is a leader in the application of imagery expertise contributing to successful mission execution and crew safety. The image analysis team provides real-time support to the International Space Station (ISS) to assess vehicle condition, configurations, performance, and mission events. 

Details | In addition to the ISS, the team leads the vision for Orion imaging capabilities to provide real-time insight into vehicle performance. We specialize in in-flight spacecraft inspections as well as integration of imagery acquisition and assessment, from launch through Earth return. NASA JSC Imagery Science and Analysis Laboratory (ISAL) helps spacecraft and mission teams design camera systems through visualization tools, laboratory testing and computations to establish camera placements, selections, and settings. ISAL coordinates detailed visual inspections of spacecraft to identify features that might indicate an unsafe situation.  Imagery integration services provided by ISAL utilize unique reporting tools to track imagery acquisition, screening/analysis progress and analysis findings. The team also assists mission engineers in interpreting imagery findings. Imagery Acquisition Planning Photogrammetry Imagery Inspection and Surveys Data visualization 

Integrated Graphics Operations and Analysis Laboratory (IGOAL) 

The Integrated Graphics Operations and Analysis Laboratory (IGOAL) provides computer graphics services for organizations throughout NASA and other institutions. These services include: highly realistic visualizations of space systems and conceptual design concepts; custom graphics programming for simulations, visualizations, training, education and outreach; and 3D graphics model creation, reduction, verification and validation.

Details |

Computer graphics services 

  • 3-D engineering visualization, modeling, and graphics custom software development 
  • Animated Graphics for Engineering Analysis (AGEA) 
  • Mobile applications for phones and tablets 
  • SATERN-style training modules (NASA’s internal training platform) 
  • IGOAL software programming supports many platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and the web
  • IGOAL graphics models can be output in many popular formats including FBX, Blender, AutoCAD, OBJ, and Inventor 
  • IGOAL software products include Space Station Research Explorer (mobile devices on iTunes and Google Play), Visual ISS Communication tool, AGEA, EMU Explorer, and Counter Measure Systems Explorer 

Imagery Acquisition

Launch/Landing Imaging 

Overview | Launch and/or landing imagery of space vehicles. Imagery objectives can provide verification of in-flight critical component performance. 

Details | Mission examples include stage separation events, parachute inflation, etc. 

NASA Airborne Science Program 

Overview | The Gulfstream aircraft supports the NASA Airborne Science Program and provides a reliable, configurable, and comfortable airborne platform to the earth science community and other customers to support scientific research and advanced technology development and testing worldwide. 

Details |

  • An integrated process to support payload design and integration, test readiness, and mission execution
  • The aircraft can be modified to meet customer needs 
  • The cabin can be configured with standard equipment racks and operator consoles 
  • Up to 14 mission crew/passengers can be accommodated depending on internal cabin configuration 
  • An external pod for radar, lidar, or other instrumentation is available 

WB-57 High Altitude Research Program 

Overview | The NASA WB-57 Program provides unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to US Government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial customers to support scientific research and advanced technology development and testing at locations around the world. The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range aircraft capable of operation for extended periods of time from sea level to altitudes in excess of 60,000 feet. 

Details |

  • The aircraft can fly for 6.5 hours, has a range of 2500 miles, and carry up to 6000 lbs. of payload
  • Multiple payload mounting locations, power options, and air-to-ground communication options 
  • Can support both pressurized and unpressurized payloads 
  • Mission examples include atmospheric and earth science, ground mapping, cosmic dust collection, rocket launch support, and test bed operations for future airborne and spaceborne systems
  • An integrated process to support payload design, integration, test readiness, and mission execution 

Science Support

Overview | NASA JSC Astromaterials and Exploration Research Division (ARES) pioneered science operations for human missions through support to the Apollo missions, which has been leveraged to all subsequent crewed missions, including International Space Station (ISS) missions, Orion missions, commercial crewed missions, and planned Artemis and Gateway missions.

Details | The Astromaterials and Exploration Science Division (ARES) leads the acquisition of Earth imagery by astronauts. We participate in Mars mission teams, including the Curiosity, Opportunity, and Perseverance rovers. We also integrate into science teams for asteroid missions including Origin’s Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) and Hayabusa2. We lead the geology training of crew for Artemis missions; develop data products for assessment of potential lunar landing sites and surface traverse planning; develop visualization and operational software for crewed mission support; develop engineering and science imagery requirements for current and planned lunar and cis-lunar spacecraft, vehicles, and crew suits; and lead science and sample return planning for lunar landers, rovers, and crew EVAs. We support development of sensors and instruments to enhance the scientific return of planetary exploration, leveraging the International Space Station as a proving ground as needed. We perform routine imagery surveys and analysis of the International Space Station and visiting spacecraft for assessment of vehicle health and safety as well as supporting anomaly investigations when needed.  ARES also supports TOPO in assessing the risk from breakups to ISS, EVA, Orion and other crewed missions.  Additionally we provide technical assessments supporting spaceflight operations with micrometeoroid orbital debris risk assessments (ISS, EVA, Orion, Gateway, etc.) that directly support design and operations for spacecraft. ARES also curates all astromaterials collected by NASA and international partners. Additional details are available at https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/

ISS038-E-038300 (30 Jan. 2014) — Flying over East Asia, an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station took this night image of the Korean Peninsula. Unlike daylight images, city lights at night illustrate dramatically the relative economic importance of cities, as gauged by relative size. In this north-looking view, it is immediately obvious that greater Seoul is a major city and that the port of Gunsan is minor by comparison. There are 25.6 million people in the Seoul metropolitan area-more than half of South Korea’s citizens-while Gunsan’s population is 280,000. North Korea is almost completely dark compared to neighboring South Korea and China. The darkened land appears as if it were a patch of water joining the Yellow Sea to the Sea of Japan. The capital city, Pyongyang, appears like a small island, despite a population of 3.26 million (as of 2008). The light emission from Pyongyang is equivalent to the smaller towns in South Korea. Coastlines are often very apparent in night imagery, as shown by South Korea’s eastern shoreline. But the coast of North Korea is difficult to detect. These differences are illustrated in per capita power consumption in the two countries, with South Korea at 10,162 kilowatt hours and North Korea at 739 kilowatt hours.
ISS022-E-059183 (9 Feb. 2010) — This view of the underside of the crew cabin of the space shuttle Endeavour was provided by an Expedition 22 crew member during a survey of the approaching STS-130 crew to the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission’s activities, Endeavour performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters).
In the primary image, the spherical cloud resembles a hazy ball of turquoise and neon blue lightning, marbled with veins of gold. The blues represent data from the Chandra Observatory, the turquoise is from NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (called IXPE), and the gold is courtesy of the Hubble Telescope.
This release features two composite images of the Cas A supernova remnant, a structure resulting from the explosion of a star in the Cassiopeia constellation. The primary image depicts Cas A as a spherical blue and turquoise cloud streaked with gold. In the supplementary image, below, Cas A is blanketed by short, straight, white and green lines that illustrate the magnetic field across large regions of the remnant.

Learn More: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/chandra/nasas-ixpe-helps-unlock-the-secrets-of-famous-exploded-star/

X-ray: Chandra: NASA/CXC/SAO, IXPE: NASA/MSFC/J. Vink et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI
Graphic depiction of how the gravity from a cluster of galaxies bends the path of light from a distant supernova. At the top of the graphic is a Hubble image of a field of galaxies on a black background of space. At the bottom of the illustration is an enlarged view of a galaxy from the top image. Both the Hubble image at the top of the illustration and the enlarged inset image at the bottom of the graphic have lines running through them from below the bottom left corner of the respective image extended past the top right corner of each image. The lines extend from a model of the Roman space telescope at the bottom left across each image to a distant galaxy at the top. On each image, the lines represent the light paths from distant supernova in the galaxy at the top right are bent by the cluster’s gravity and redirected onto new paths.
This illustration, using Hubble Space Telescope images of Supernova Refsdal, shows how the gravity of massive galaxy cluster MACS J1149.6+2223 bends and focuses the light from the supernova behind it, resulting in multiple images of the exploding star. The upper graphic shows that when the star explodes, its light travels through space and encounters the foreground galaxy cluster. The light paths are bent by the cluster’s gravity and redirected onto new paths, several of which are pointed at Earth. Astronomers, therefore, see multiple images of the exploding star, each one corresponding to one of those altered light paths. Each image takes a different route through the cluster and arrives at a different time. In the lower graphic, the redirected light passes through a giant elliptical galaxy within the cluster. This galaxy adds another layer of lensing.
Illustration: NASA, ESA, A. Fields (STScI), and J. DePasquale (STScI). Science: NASA, ESA, and S. Rodney (JHU) and the FrontierSN team; T. Treu (UCLA), P. Kelly (UC Berkeley), and the GLASS team; J. Lotz (STScI) and the Frontier Fields team; M. Postman (STScI) and the CLASH team; and Z. Levay (STScI)
A field of galaxies on the black background of space. Some are blue and white, others glow yellow. In the middle of the field is a cluster of five yellowish spiral and elliptical galaxies that form a foreground galaxy cluster. There is one spiral galaxy just below the cluster that has a yellow-whiteish core and is surrounded by diffuse blue material. This galaxy is outlined by a white box, and lines extend from the box’s corners that leads to an enlarged view at the right. Four arrows point at yellow faint points of light that circle the central glow of the galaxy.
This Hubble Space Telescope image shows the powerful gravity of a galaxy embedded in a massive cluster of galaxies producing multiple images of a single distant supernova far behind it. The image shows the galaxy’s location within a large cluster of galaxies called MACS J1149.6+2223, located more than 5 billion light-years away. In the enlarged inset view of the galaxy, the arrows point to the multiple copies of an exploding star, named Supernova Refsdal, located 9.3 billion light-years from Earth.
NASA, ESA, and S. Rodney (JHU) and the FrontierSN team; T. Treu (UCLA), P. Kelly (UC Berkeley), and the GLASS team; J. Lotz (STScI) and the Frontier Fields team; M. Postman (STScI) and the CLASH team; and Z. Levay (STScI)

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