A technical framework for construction of new-generation lunar global control network using multi-mission data

• Published in: Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping pp. 3 - 13
• Main Authors: Di, K., Liu, B., Peng, M., Xin, X., Jia, M., Zuo, W., Ping, J., Wu, B., Oberst, J.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: CRC Press 2019
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Reference DEM; Grail; Global DEM; Photogrammetric Solution; LRO; High Resolution DEM; Global Adjustment; Lunar Surface; IO Parameter; Line Arrays; RFM; Eo Parameter; Laser Altimetry; Laser Altimetry Data; DOM; Low Resolution DEMs; Entire Moon; RPCs; Tie Points; RSM; Propose Feature Extraction; Stereo Images; Generic Geometric Modeling; Sift Match; Multi-mission Data
• ISBN: 9781138584150; 1138584150
• DOI: 10.1201/9780429505997-1

A lunar global control network provides geodetic datum and control points for mapping of the lunar surface. The widely used Unified Lunar Control Network 2005 (ULCN2005) was built based on a combined photogrammetric solution of Clementine images acquired in 1994 and earlier photographic data. In this research, we propose an initiative and technical framework for construction of a new-generation lunar global control network using multi-mission data newly acquired in the 21st century, which have much better resolution and precision than the old data acquired in the last century. The new control network will be based on a combined photogrammetric solution of an extended global image and laser altimetry network. The five lunar laser ranging retro-reflectors, which can be identified in LROC NAC images and have cm-level 3D position accuracy, will be used as absolute control points in the least-squares photogrammetric adjustment. Recently, a new radio total phase ranging method has been developed and used for high-precision positioning of Chang’E-3 lander; this shall offer a new absolute control point. Systematic methods and key techniques will be developed or enhanced, including rigorous and generic geometric modeling of orbital images, multi-scale feature extraction and matching among heterogeneous multi-mission remote sensing data, optimal selection of images at areas of multiple image coverages, and large-scale adjustment computation, etc. Based on the high-resolution new datasets and developed new techniques, the new generation of global control network is expected to have much higher accuracy and point density than the ULCN2005. As a realization of the lunar reference system, a lunar global control network (LGCN) provides geodetic datum and control points for mapping of the lunar surface, and it is of fundamental importance for both scientific and engineering applications. In some special cases, spacecraft vibrations can cause angular “jitter” and image distortions. Images with jitter effects should be avoided in image selection for control network construction. Orbital images and laser altimetry data acquired by multiple missions will be used in construction of the new-generation LGCN. Interior orientation (IO) refers to the transformation from image coordinate system to the focal plane coordinate system centered at the principal point of the image according to the calibrated IO parameters of the camera. The network should consist of a sufficient number of evenly distributed tie points that link all the images together based on feature extraction and matching among multi-mission remote sensing data.