Abstract
Abstract. This paper presents an empirical analysis of the geopositioning precision of multiple image triangulation using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) images at the Chang’e-3(CE-3) landing site. Nine LROC NAC images are selected for comparative analysis of geopositioning precision. Rigorous sensor models of the images are established based on collinearity equations with interior and exterior orientation elements retrieved from the corresponding SPICE kernels. Rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs) of each image are derived by least squares fitting using vast number of virtual control points generated according to rigorous sensor models. Experiments of different combinations of images are performed for comparisons. The results demonstrate that the plane coordinates can achieve a precision of 0.54 m to 2.54 m, with a height precision of 0.71 m to 8.16 m when only two images are used for three-dimensional triangulation. There is a general trend that the geopositioning precision, especially the height precision, is improved with the convergent angle of the two images increasing from several degrees to about 50°. However, the image matching precision should also be taken into consideration when choosing image pairs for triangulation. The precisions of using all the 9 images are 0.60 m, 0.50 m, 1.23 m in along-track, cross-track, and height directions, which are better than most combinations of two or more images. However, triangulation with selected fewer images could produce better precision than that using all the images.
Highlights
Three dimensional (3D) mapping of lunar surface is of great importance for scientific investigations and supporting landed missions
This paper presents an empirical analysis of the geopositioning precision of multi-image triangulation using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) images at the CE-3 landing site
The method used in this research mainly includes the following steps: establishing the rigorous sensor models as well as the rational function models of the images, block adjustment of multiple images based on rational function models, and geopositioning precision evaluation with different combinations of the images
Summary
Three dimensional (3D) mapping of lunar surface is of great importance for scientific investigations and supporting landed missions. With continual data acquisition by multiple lunar orbiter missions, many areas of the lunar surface have been covered many times by different orbiters or the same orbiter. This raises an interesting issue that how to achieve the best geopositioning and mapping precision in those areas with multi-image coverages. CE-3 is the first lander and rover mission of China after the success of Chang’e-1 and Chang’e-2 orbiter missions It was launched on 2 December 2013 and successfully landed at (44.12 °N, 19.51 °W) (radio-tarcking solution) in northern Mare Imbrium of the Moon on 14 December 2013 (Liu et al, 2015a, Liu et al, 2015b). The NAC images are chosen in this research for their higher resolution and multiple coverages
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