IPEX (CP8)

SUCCESS

Repository

Analysis

The Intelligent Payload Experiment (IPEX) was a mission to validate new tech for autonomous onboard data processing that was intended to be used on the HypsIRI mission. The following is an excerpt from the JPL IPEX page:

IPEX will validate a wide range of onboard instrument processing algorithms. The vast majority are variations of pixel mathematics, e.g. normalized difference ratios, band ratios, and similar products. For example, many flooding (surface water extent) classifications are based on band ratios. Snow and ice products also use simple band processing formulae. Thermal anomaly detection algorithms such as for volcano and active fire mapping also involve computationally efficient slope analysis of spectral signals. Finally, a wide range of vegetation indicators also involve difference ratios or similar computations.

IPEX will also fly more computationally complex image processing technologies including Support Vector Machine Learning Techniques, spectral unmixing techniques, and TextureCam Random Decision forest classification technique.

The mission was considered successful because after deployment, systems were reported as nominal. The success of the data processing is unknown or not disclosed.