Visual Sensor Systems in Space

Slow-scan television cameras have been used as visual scanners in orbiting satellite programs. The sensor, as an input device, and the associated readout or output device are the terminal parts of an orbiting television satellite system. Some of the input-output elements will be described covering visual sensors, optics, kinescope recording, and facsimile. Sample systems, such as TIROS and Essa satellite systems, will show these elements as part of the system. Trade-off parameters of resolution, light level, electronic bandwidth, frame time, and storage time will be examined to show their effects on the video transmission system.