Integration of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) Data for Near Real-time Precision Lunar Topographic Mapping and Landing Site Assessment

Participants

Principal Investigator: 
              Dr. Rongxing Li, CEEGS, The Ohio State University

Co-Investigator: 
              Dr. Kaichang Di, CEEGS, The Ohio State University

Timeline   April 1, 2008 - March 2011

Project Overview

In this Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Participating Scientists (PS) project, we propose to integrate Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) with Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) data to provide the first high-accuracy 3D lunar cartographic maps along with an assessment of potential landing sites for future lunar landed missions at a high level of precision (submeter). The proposed near real-time system will be developed based on our Mars orbital and Earth satellite data processing system developed at OSU. It will strictly model the imaging geometries of the LROC NAC and WAC sensors and integrate LROC images with LOLA data along with image and LIDAR data from previous lunar missions in order to achieve the best possible accuracy for topographic mapping. The developed system has the flexibility of multi sensor and multimission data integration, as well as near real-time mapping capability. Thus, the mission can be supported by fast product turn around time, quick responses, timely make-up data acquisition, and other time dependent operations.

 Project objectives include:

1)      To develop a strict 3D stereo photogrammetric model for LROC imagery based on push-broom and frame imaging principles,

2)    To develop a method for combined bundle adjustment of LROC and LOLA data to improve the absolute accuracy of LROC images by incorporating LOLA data as absolute ground control,

3)     To develop innovative methodology to integrate LROC imagery and LOLA data in order to produce the highest level of resolution and the most comprehensive data set that will include highly accurate 3D topographic terrain models, orthophotos, and 3D surface feature measurements, and

4)  To apply the developed model and methods to support candidate site assessment for future lunar landing and enable high precision in scientific investigations during mission operations.  

The developed methods and techniques will contribute to the advancement of the science and technology of planetary mapping. During LRO mission operations, the topographic products generated in this project will directly contribute to assessment and selection of potential landing sites for future landed mission. The multi-mission data integration capability enables cross-mission image correlation that will be very valuable for various scientific investigations during LRO’s science mission and beyond.

Related Sites

    NASA LRO Mission Website
    ASU Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera


For additional information, contact Dr. Ron Li at e-mail: li.282@osu.edu