In consideration of the demands of image compression algorithm in space application fields for computer complexity,this paper proposes a new “run-length coding of first 1 bit” algorithm.In this algorithm,the first 1 bit plane and above bit planes of Discrete Wavelet Transform(DWT) coefficients are encoded by signed adaptive binary run coding algorithm presented in this paper,and lower bitplane is directly ouput as its bit value.To be compatible with a lossless compression,the algorithm uses a 97 integer wavelet transform recommended by Consultative Committee for Space Data System(CCSDS).Because the dependencies between pixels and between bitplanes are considered,the data access times and coding complexity are far lower than that of the current algorithms.Moreover,the algorithm is an embedded coding algorithm,the compression ratio could be precisely controlled by truncating the bit stream,and the progressive transmission of the code stream could be supported.The experimental data show that the complexity of the algorithm is significantly reduced,and the compression performance is slightly higher as compared with that of the image compression algorithm recommended by the CCSDS.Meanwhile,the algorithm also supports bit plane independent parallel coding and improves compression speeds.The algorithm has met the space application requirements for the high-speeds,high performance,low complexity and the low power.