Science Activity Planner (SAP) DownlinkBrowser is a computer program that assists in the visualization of processed telemetric data [principally images, image cubes (that is, multispectral images), and spectra] that have been transmitted to Earth from exploratory robotic vehicles (rovers) on remote planets. It is undergoing adaptation to (1) the Field Integrated Design and Operations (FIDO) rover (a prototype Mars-exploration rover operated on Earth as a test bed) and (2) the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission. This program has evolved from its predecessor — the Web Interface for Telescience (WITS) software — and surpasses WITS in the processing, organization, and plotting of data. SAP DownlinkBrowser creates Extensible Markup Language (XML) files that organize data files, on the basis of content, into a sortable, searchable product database, without the overhead of a relational database. The data-display components of SAP DownlinkBrowser (descriptively named ImageView, 3DView, OrbitalView, PanoramaView, ImageCubeView, and SpectrumView) are designed to run in a memory footprint of at least 256MB on computers that utilize the Windows, Linux, and Solaris operating systems.
This program was written by Mark Powell, Paul Backes, Jeffrey Norris, Marsette Vona, and Robert Steinke of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393- 3425. Refer to NPO-30673.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Software For Displaying Data From Planetary Rovers
(reference NPO-30673) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document outlines the Science Activity Planner (SAP) Downlink Visualization Component, a software tool developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for visualizing processed telemetric data from planetary rovers. This software is particularly focused on handling images, image cubes (multispectral images), and spectra transmitted from exploratory robotic vehicles on remote planets, such as Mars.
SAP DownlinkBrowser is designed to assist scientists in analyzing downlink data products efficiently. It organizes data into a sortable and searchable product database using Extensible Markup Language (XML) files, eliminating the need for a traditional relational database. This content-based organization allows for quick retrieval and visualization of large datasets, making it ideal for remote operations.
The software features several visualization components, including ImageView, PanoramaView, ImageCubeView, and SpectrumView, all optimized to run on systems with a minimum of 256MB of physical memory across Windows, Linux, and Solaris platforms. These components facilitate the effective display of complex data, enhancing the user experience during data analysis.
The primary purpose of SAP is to support the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission and the Field Integrated Design and Operations (FIDO) rover project. It enables scientists to generate activity plans based on the analyzed data, which can be used in various meetings, including theme group discussions and the Science Operations Working Group (SOWG) meetings. The software allows for both individual and collaborative use, making it a versatile tool for mission operations.
The document also highlights the evolution of SAP from its predecessor, the Web Interface for Telescience (WITS), noting that SAP surpasses WITS in terms of data processing, organization, and visualization capabilities. The development team, consisting of Mark Powell, Paul Backes, Jeffrey Norris, Marsette Vona, and Robert Steinke, has created a tool that not only meets the needs of current missions but is also available for commercial licensing.
In summary, the SAP Downlink Visualization Component is a crucial software tool for NASA's planetary exploration efforts, providing scientists with the means to visualize and analyze complex data efficiently, ultimately aiding in the planning and execution of scientific activities on remote planetary missions.
