The On-Board Payload Data Compression Workshop aims to bring together all the professionals working in the field, to share the latest ideas and developments and to pave the way for the future technological challenges. This Workshop is co-organised by ESA and CNES with the support of the IUMA, and will take place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 2-4 October 2024.             

The space data deluge is real. The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in data collected by space missions, driven by advancements in digital technologies and easier space access. This surge in Earth observation and astronomical data presents a challenge: how do we efficiently deliver these valuable insights to scientists?

The ever-expanding constellations of satellites, with their enhanced resolution, faster data acquisition, and limited bandwidth, demand a fundamental shift in on-board data processing. On-board data reduction is no longer optional; it's a critical technology for mission success.

Traditional data compression techniques, rooted in Claude Shannon's Information Theory, might not be enough to handle the massive datasets from next-generation space instruments. We need to move beyond just removing redundancy. The new paradigm is about on-board extraction of meaningful information directly relevant to researchers. This requires a deeper understanding of the instruments and the scientific objectives of each mission.

Thankfully, the field of on-board data processing is undergoing a transformation fueled by two key advancements: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance on-board computing. These new capabilities are revolutionizing data compression by learning the inherent characteristics of scientific data and exploiting them for superior compression.

This confluence of technologies ushers in a new era for on-board data analysis. The On-Board Payload Data Compression (OBPDC) Workshop aims to bring together all the professionals working in this exciting field. Share your latest ideas and developments, network with colleagues from around the world, and help pave the way for solutions to the technological challenges that lie ahead. Join us at OBPDC 2024 as we chart a course for maximizing scientific return from the ever-growing sea of space data.