Bluestone Onboard

Purpose and goal

The project will demonstrate Spacemetric´s Bluestone software for image data management on board aircraft on Unibap´s computer platform iX10 and its software SpaceCloud. Bluestone was developed for space applications to handle large image and information volumes on satellites with limited bandwidth to the ground station. The iX10 computer platform is a high-performance computer for demanding environments. The iX10 platfrom, with SpaceCloud and Bluestone, will be deployed in MSS 7000, ST Airborne Systems´s (ST´s) airborne surveillance system and ground system.

Expected effects and result

The project will make it possible to use Spacemetric´s Bluestone software for handling video streams and still images, in Unibap´s iX10 environment, on ST´s aircraft and in its ground systems. The expected effect is that ground personnel, despite limited bandwidth between ground and aircraft, will have "virtual" access to imagery on board, whilst the personnel on board will have "virtual" access to the imagery available in the ground system, enabling situational awareness. Furthermore, Unibap´s powerful computer iX10 makes it possible to manage advanced image processing on board.

Planned approach and implementation

Spacemetric will further develop its Bluestone software and adapt it to Unibaps SpaceCloud environment, as well as to ST Airborne Systems´ on-board and ground environments. Unibap will adapt its iX10 platform and its SpaceCloud software to Spacemetric´s Bluestone software and to ST Airborne Systems´ on-board and ground environments. ST Airborne Systems participates in the project with system requirements, and also participates in tests and trials.