Abstract
Abstract. The integrated photogrammetric mapping system flown on the last three Apollo lunar missions (AS15, AS16, and AS17) in 1971 and 1972 incorporated a Metric (mapping) Camera, a high-resolution Panoramic Camera, and a star camera and laser altimeter. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center, the Intelligent Robotics Group of the NASA Ames Research Center, and Arizona State University are working together in an ongoing collaboration to achieve the most complete cartographic development of Apollo mapping system data into versatile digital map products. These will enable a variety of scientific/engineering uses of the data including mission planning, geologic mapping, geophysical process modelling, slope dependent correction of spectral data, and change detection. After a brief discussion of the origins of the mapping system, we describe the Metric and Panoramic cameras, processing of the associated image and support data, work to photogrammetrically control the Metric Camera images, and future plans.
Highlights
In 1967, the Summer Study of Lunar Science and Exploration convened to examine various topics in lunar science and to compile recommendations for science operations and supporting instrumentation for both the later and post-Apollo lunar missions (NASA, 1967)
The group recommended a 28-day polar mission to the Moon incorporating 1) a metric frame camera; 2) two convergent, long focal-length panoramic cameras to complement the metric camera with high-resolution stereo photography of regions of scientific or operational interest; 3) two stellar cameras for absolute orientation; and 4) a laser altimeter supporting the camera systems with precise range measurements between image exposure stations and the lunar surface
It is perhaps not surprising that the instrumentation recommended by the GCWG was very close to that flown on the 120 successful and highly classified photo reconnaissance missions operated by the United States Air Force and CIA between 1959 and 1972 under the codename Corona (Day, Logsdon, and Latell, 1998; Figure 1)
Summary
In 1967, the Summer Study of Lunar Science and Exploration convened to examine various topics in lunar science and to compile recommendations for science operations and supporting instrumentation for both the later and post-Apollo lunar missions (NASA, 1967). From pre-flight analyses and in situ observations and measurements obtained by the landed Apollo missions (e.g., Masursky et al, 1978), this zone encompasses perhaps the most studied portion of the Moon These analyses have established a fundamental baseline for lunar surface characterization that is unmatched in other regions. In an ongoing collaboration, the USGS Astrogeology Science Center (ASC), Arizona State University (ASU), and the Intelligent Robotics Group of the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) are working to achieve the most complete cartographic development of Apollo mapping system data into versatile digital map products This will enable a variety of scientific/engineering uses of the data including mission planning, geologic mapping, geophysical process modelling, slope dependent correction of spectral data, and change detection.
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