Autonomous Vegetation Cover Scene Classification of Eo-1 Hyperion

Introduction: The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment (ASE) is a JPL-led, New Millennium Program mission containing new technology in the form of software to be flown on the Earth Observer-1 (EO1) satellite in early 2004 [1, 2]. This new technology will facilitate an artificially intelligent machine with autonomous science-driven capabilities. Among the ASE flight software is a set of onboard science algorithms designed for autonomous data processing, primarily based on change detection from observation to observation [1, 2, 3]. Using the output from these algorithms, ASE has the ability to autonomously modify the EO-1 observation plan, retargeting itself for a more in-depth observation of a scientific event in progress. Furthermore, intelligent and selective information down-linking will maximize return of the most valuable scientific data. Among the algorithms developed for use on ASE is a Lava-Vegetation (L-V) detection algorithm. This algorithm can effectively identify the initial location and extent of lava and vegetation coverage based on spectral shape. Comparison of several different observations, all classified via this algorithm, can make change detection possible.