Applications of Remote Image Sensing with the NASA Massively Parallel Processor

Satellite observing systems are producing image observations of the Earth's surface and atmosphere with spectral and spatial resolutions that result in data rates that current general-purpose computing systems are incapable of processing and analysing. As a result, current processing systems have been able to analyse only limited amounts of image data with less than optimal algorithms for generating high-quality geophysical parameters. A massively parallel processor (MPP) is operationally available at NASA/GSFC for routine image-analysis applications. Research studies with the MPP are being pursued in the area of interactive spatial contextual classifications for the land thematic mapper data, automatic SIR-B stereo terrain mapping, ice-motion detection, faint-object image restoration and other general purpose ocean and land image-processing systems. Several applications are presented comparing the MPP products with enhancements of imaging data with standard image-processing methods. Finally, a work-station parallel processor for space station on-board image processing will be described.