Enabling & Support

On-Board Payload Data Processing Section

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ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Engineering & Technology / Onboard Data Processing

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Developing payload data processing systems and related technologies for space missions, mainly in the field of Earth observation, astronomy, planetary science and exploration

About us

On-board payload data processing work is mainly based in TEC-EDP in the Data System Division at ESTEC. Our competences include:

Data processor architectures
Data acquisition chains
High speed on-board networks
Digital signal processing, processors and specialised devices
Payload data storage
Image and signal processing algorithms
Data compression techniques
High rate data encryption

As part of ESA’s Directorate of Technical and Quality Management, the section provides technical support in the areas of competence to all programme directorates in order to support their missions and developments. On the other side the section is responsible for initiation and execution of technology developments that may lay the foundation for future missions.

This comprises developments in analogue and digital hardware from components to subsystems and building blocks, low level software and novel signal processing techniques.

In particular the section hosts the centre of expertise for data compression algorithms, techniques and devices. It is responsible for the definition and implementation of the next generation of European signal processors for space and it has initiated the development and standardisation of SpaceWire links, nodes and networks which have become very widely used not only in nearly all European space missions but also in the US, Japan, Russia and around the world.

Upcoming Events

Workshop: The Present and the Future of High Speed Interfaces for Satellite On-Board Data Systems