Sally Ride EarthKAM is an educational program funded by NASA that aims to provide the public the ability to picture Earth from the perspective of the International Space Station (ISS). A computer-controlled camera is mounted on the ISS in a nadir-pointing window; however, timing limitations in the system cause inaccurate positional metadata. Manually correcting images within an orbit allows the positional metadata to be improved using mathematical regressions. The manual correction process is time-consuming and thus, unfeasible for a large number of images.
The standard Google Earth program allows for the importing of KML (keyhole markup language) files that previously were created. These KML file-based overlays could then be manually manipulated as image overlays, saved, and then uploaded to the project server where they are parsed and the metadata in the database is updated. The new interface eliminates the need to save, download, open, re-save, and upload the KML files. Everything is processed on the Web, and all manipulations go directly into the database. Administrators also have the control to discard any single correction that was made and validate a correction.
This program streamlines a process that previously required several critical steps and was probably too complex for the average user to complete successfully. The new process is theoretically simple enough for members of the public to make use of and contribute to the success of the Sally Ride EarthKAM project.
Using the Google Earth Web plug-in, EarthKAM images, and associated metadata, this software allows users to interactively manipulate an EarthKAM image overlay, and update and improve the associated metadata. The Web interface uses the Google Earth JavaScript API along with PHP-PostgreSQL to present the user the same interface capabilities without leaving the Web. The simpler graphical user interface will allow the public to participate directly and meaningfully with EarthKAM. The use of similar techniques is being investigated to place ground-based observations in a Google Mars environment, allowing the MSL (Mars Science Laboratory) Science Team a means to visualize the rover and its environment.
This work was done by Paul M. Andres of Caltech, Dennis K. Lazar of Purdue University, and Robert Q. Thames of Loyola Marymount University for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Sally Ride EarthKAM — Automated Image Geo-Referencing Using Google Earth Web Plug-In
(reference NPO-48800) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document discusses the Sally Ride EarthKAM (Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students) program, an educational initiative funded by NASA that enables students and the public to view Earth from the perspective of the International Space Station (ISS). The program utilizes a digital camera mounted on the ISS, which captures images of the Earth's surface as the station orbits. These images serve as valuable educational tools, allowing students worldwide to engage with and understand their surroundings through the lens of space.
One of the primary challenges faced by the EarthKAM program is the inaccuracy of positional metadata associated with the images. This inaccuracy arises from the imprecise clock system of the camera, which affects the calculation of the ISS's position at the time each image is taken. Historically, correcting this metadata involved a cumbersome process where users would manually download KML files, adjust them using Google Earth, and then upload the corrected files back to the server. This method was not feasible for handling large volumes of images.
To address these challenges, the document introduces a new web interface that leverages the Google Earth JavaScript API and PHP-PostgreSQL. This interface allows users to make corrections directly from their browser, streamlining the process and making it more accessible. Additionally, the new system incorporates mathematical regression techniques that can automatically correct the metadata for other images after a few manual adjustments are made, significantly improving efficiency.
The document also highlights the potential for applying similar techniques to imagery from other space missions, such as those from Mars satellites and rovers. By enhancing the accuracy of image geo-referencing, the EarthKAM program not only enriches educational outreach but also contributes to broader scientific understanding and exploration.
Overall, the Sally Ride EarthKAM initiative exemplifies the intersection of education, technology, and space exploration, providing a platform for students to engage with science and geography in a meaningful way while utilizing cutting-edge tools for image correction and analysis. The program aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers by making space accessible and interactive.
