Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing object feature visibility for overhead imaging. In one embodiment, a computing system can obtain information associated with one or more locations of an imaging platform and one or more locations of a solar source. The system can determine one or more positional ranges of the imaging platform relative to the solar source based, at least in part, on such information. The positional ranges can be indicative of positions at which the imaging platform is to obtain image frames depicting at least a portion of a target object. The system can send, to the imaging platform, a set of data indicative of the positional ranges and can receive, from the imaging platform, a set of data indicative of the image frames depicting at least a portion of the target object. The image frames being captured based, at least in part, on the positional ranges.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement TDI imaging techniques in conjunction with monolithic CCD image sensors having multiple distinct imaging regions, where TDI imaging techniques can be separately implemented with respect to each distinct imaging region. In many embodiments, the distinct imaging regions are defined by color filters or color filter patterns (e.g. a Bayer filter pattern); and data from the distinct imaging regions can be read out concurrently (or else sequentially and/or nearly concurrently). A camera system can include: a CCD image sensor including a plurality of pixels that define at least two distinct imaging regions, where pixels within each imaging region operate in unison to image a scene differently than at least one other distinct imaging region. In addition, the camera system is operable in a time-delay integration mode whereby time delay-integration imaging techniques are imposed with respect to each distinct imaging region.

Abstract: Particular embodiments also include a optimization and simulation service that can analyze different variables for scheduling the satellites. The optimization and simulation service operates automatically to schedule satellites and ground stations to obtain their highest attainable performance relative to the system operator's goals as well as to respond to various unexpected behavior or events and performance variations, modifying the schedule accordingly. The optimization and simulation service leverages the sparsity of the system in the optimization such that the optimization and simulation service can calculate the change in utility for one satellite without reference to unimpacted satellite schedules. This allows the schedule to be calculated efficiently and provides optimum usage of the satellites.

Abstract: The focus of this invention pertains to the methodology behind launching line-scanning satellite constellations that can image an entire planet such as the Earth at high temporal cadence (less than a week), at high spatial resolution (less than 10 m). Utilizing simple control and operation, our invention captures images of an entire planet in an effective and distributed manner. Additional benefits are realized by taking advantage of the distributed onboard storage and computing abilities of such a constellation to optimize the data collected, system latency, and data downlinked.