Implementing an image processing system for the next generation Earth observation sensors for the SUNSAT 2 micro-satellite programme

The next generation of microsatellite Earth observation sensors will generate more data than can be downloaded in real-time by a ground-station. Managing the data volume is thus crucial to the regular access to data (operational success) of these missions. For the Sunsat 2 programme a combination of image processing and lossy image compression will be used. This paper will give an overview of the considerations and solutions for next generation microsatellite imagers.