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 the LRO science mission and beyond.

LROC Results
First Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Results
A 3-D DEM (digital elevation model) of the topography seen by the Apollo 16 astronauts, including South Ray crater, has been created by researchers at the Mapping & GIS Lab as their first results from the new Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC). The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite, launched June 18 from the Kennedy Space Center, is the first mission in the United State's new Vision for Space Exploration program. The spacecraft will orbit the Moon for as many as five years taking images in search of valuable lunar resources and potential future landing sites. LRO news can be found on the NASA LRO project website and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera website. The DEM is available at http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/news/?archives/97-First-LROC-Stereo-Results.html.

Perspective view, LROC image, and DEM [NASA/GSFC/Ohio State University].

The area covered by this stereo pair shows the topography seen by the Apollo 16 astronauts, including rolling plains with many impact craters.  The 3-D DEM is colored showing elevations, ranging over about 1 km. South Ray Crater (A) in the perspective view is 750m in diameter and approximately 70m deep. The surrounding craters range from several meters in diameter to 1,200 m. The tallest mountain in the southwest corner (lower right) of the DEM is 880m above the plain. The DEM area [NAC images M102064759 and M102057602; centered at 9° S, 15.4° E] is 50km long and 7km wide. The LROC images were taken on July 12, 2009 during LRO orbit 218 near the Apollo 16 landing site. Images were processed using software developed by the Mapping and GIS Laboratory at the Ohio State University.

Click on the image for a more detailed view.


Related Sites

    NASA LRO Mission Website
    ASU Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
    NASA WMS Public Server for Lunar Data
    NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Mission Website
    Apollo Image Archive at Arizona State University
    NAIF: NASA Planetary Science Division Ancillary Information Facility


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