Abstract: A device and method for presenting augmented image data. An image capture device captures an image together with information about the image. Alternatively a data logger may capture additional information about a particular image. The image and additional information is sent to a database where a server analyzes the augmented image and relates the augmented image to other images in the database. A subsequent user may query the database for all images and augmented information for a particular area, location, or object and retrieve that collected information for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: The field of view of a sensor mounted on a satellite (or other spacecraft) is obscured by various objects, such as celestial bodies and the satellite's own solar panels. A method is disclosed for visualizing and quantifying, with respect to time, variations in the portions of the sensor's field of view that are obscured. The graphical output of a satellite systems analysis program, which features high-resolution, three-dimensional, animated images of spacecraft, celestial bodies and other objects in the space environment, is utilized. The graphical output is simplified to only a few colors to differentiate only background and irrelevant objects from relevant objects. Differentiation is also made, using different colors, in representation of those portions of the field of view that overlap relevant (obscuring) objects from the remainder of the field of view which is unobscured. By counting pixels of the respective colors, frame-by-frame during animation, the percentage of obscuration over time is quantified.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, comprises an application with a specific chat room access module associated with the application. When the user launches the application for the first time, the application is loaded in the normal fashion known in the art. When the chat room is reached, a window is opened on the user's application screen. Thus, when the user begins using the application program the chat room is automatically up and running so that the user can post questions to other users and to the application provider staff and have those questions answered in near real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling the exposure of spacecraft-mounted solar power panels to the sun over a given time interval, such as an orbit period, and a method and apparatus for modeling the drag of spacecraft over a given time interval, such as an orbit period. The result of the exposure modeling can be used to determine varying availability of electrical power for operations to be performed by the spacecraft and on-board apparatus. The results of the drag over time are used to predict orbit decay and fuel requirements for orbit maintenance and station-keeping. The invention uses a graphically based satellite systems analysis program to approximate exposure and drag data through visual projection of the relevant spacecraft elements on a computer display screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling the exposure of spacecraft-mounted solar power panels to the sun over a given time interval, such as an orbit period, and a method and apparatus for modeling the drag of spacecraft over a given time interval, such as an orbit period. The result of the exposure modeling can be used to determine varying availability of electrical power for operations to be performed by the spacecraft and on-board apparatus. The results of the drag over time are used to predict orbit decay and fuel requirements for orbit maintenance and station-keeping. The invention uses a graphically based satellite systems analysis program to approximate exposure and drag data through visual projection of the relevant spacecraft elements on a computer display screen.