• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

Intelligent Library System Goes Live as Satellite Data Streams in Real-Time

SUNNYVALE, CA, May 17th, 2001 -- Lockheed Martin today announced the successful capture and processing of live satellite data in its Intelligent Library System (ILS)(tm). The image data, captured by the world's first one-meter resolution commercial satellite, IKONOS, is transmitted to a ground station where it is automatically processed, catalogued and stored in the ILS digital archive as earth imagery that can be electronically delivered to end users or retrieved on demand. This Intelligent Library System (ILS)(tm) installation, completed last year, is configured to capture thousands of Gigabyte-size images per day and securely store millions of images for easy and rapid retrieval. Until the live satellite downlink, the ILS system was ingesting recorded images from CDs and tapes, which will continue to be a complementary data source. As a total file management system, ILS will track the data integrity of thousands of terabytes of satellite images over time and automatically direct action to ensure that files do not degrade.

For this particular installation, the ILS team integrated the data ingest and archive functions with imagery analysis software on dozens of networked workstations. The end-users can call up a variety of applications for imagery analysis from the same workstation interface used to search and retrieve imagery. As new software programs that manipulate and analyze data become available in the marketplace, they can be readily added to the ILS suite of integrated applications.

"We are extremely pleased to have been able to provide this customer with a very robust application," said Bob Schreiner, ILS Chief System Architect. "This demonstration of our ability to meet the unique challenges involved in processing and securely storing terabytes per day of live incoming data is proof that the ILS delivers superior performance. In the end, ILS ensures that the customer efficiently obtains and maintains the data and information they need."

Intelligent Library System (ILS)(tm), an integrated hardware/software solution, employs an advanced hierarchical storage architecture, helping the customer to contain costs for this large installation. Smart algorithms anticipate the demand for stored imagery and pre-stage the data from shelves or "jukebox" tape libraries to online cache as required. Lower resolution browse versions of the images are always kept online for quick retrieval over bandwidth-limited networks.

When they need to retrieve imagery, ILS users employ standard browser interfaces to search indexed descriptive data (metadata) or circumscribe a search area on a map. They can then order the full resolution imagery immediately or place potential orders in an on-screen shopping cart where they can be reviewed or plotted as footprints on a map before the actual order is placed. The users can also elect to order only a portion or chip of an image. Robust security features prevent unauthorized access to different types or categories of files.

Lockheed Martin provides custom solutions from a scalable family of available Intelligent Library System (ILS)(tm) products, configured to suit each customer's unique requirements for storage, retrieval speed and extent and type of end-use applications. Hardware from leading pre-qualified vendors is integrated with the third party and ILS software in the tailored solutions. More information about the product and services can be found at http://www.lmils.com.

Space Imaging's IKONOS imagery is the highest resolution satellite imagery available commercially, delivering resolutions of up to one-meter, i.e. objects as small as one meter can be detected.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Lori Reichert: (408) 742-7606 lori.k.reichert@lmco.com