Access and Distribution of Near-Real Time Remote-Sensed Data

Satellite-based Remotely-Sensed Imagery (RSI) is used in many science and environmental projects as both inputs and validations to many modeling efforts. Despite its extraordinary utility, the use of RSI by scientists in general is limited due to difficulty of access. The main goal of this thesis is to use some of the advanced capabilities of the HTML5 specification to develop a framework for the distribution of streaming RSI, and make that data available in a more usable format to the average scientist. This goal was achieved through the development of REmote Delivery Active Client Transport System (REDACTS). We developed REDACTS to be a flexible system to pipe remote sensed data in near real time to the end user using modern HTML5 protocols. As our initial RSI example we use the GVAR weather satellite feed. REDACTS is implemented in three components: BackEnd, Middleware, and the web-based FrontEnd. A source-specific instance of the BackEnd acquires the data in a proprietary format and translates it to more usable forms. These forms include Protocol Buffers, JSON, PNG and base64 encoded images. The Middleware distributes the requested data and acts as a central point of dispersal. Finally, the FrontEnd client visualizes the data and performs computation. For future developers of the system, we provided a simple, but real, example of how a new data source would be incorporated. In summary, this thesis has provided the foundation for web-based infrastructure for visualizing and analyzing RSI data.