Case Study: STFC RAL Space develops real-time Earth observation cameras with National Instruments

RAL Space Uses NI Platform to Develop HD, Live Streaming Earth Observation Cameras

STFC RAL Space, a department specializing in space research and technology development, faced the challenge of rapidly developing and testing two high-definition cameras for the International Space Station. The cameras needed to stream live, unprecedented video footage of Earth, requiring ground support equipment capable of capturing and processing a data stream exceeding 800 Mbps in real time for analysis.

The solution implemented by National Instruments (NI) utilized the NI PXI platform, LabVIEW software, and FlexRIO FPGA technology. This NI system captured the raw data, processed it to separate valid images from meaningless data in real time, and saved it to high-speed storage. By adopting the NI platform, RAL Space completed the camera development in just two years, meeting the critical launch schedule and reducing the time and effort required to deliver the results to their commercial partner.

STFC RAL Space

Mike Salter

STFC RAL Space