Topographic Mapping Capability Analysis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Camera (MoRIC) Imagery of Tianwen-1 Mars Mission

Abstract

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Camera (MoRIC) onboard the orbiter of China’s Tianwen-1 Mars mission aims to map the surface of Mars globally and to explore its topography and geomorphology. This camera’s wide field of view can be used to overlap adjacent images sufficiently for topographic reconstruction. This study aimed to assess the topographic mapping potential of MoRIC images via a systematic accuracy analysis of MoRIC stereo mapping based on theoretical calculation and experimental validation. Experimental analyses were conducted using digital elevation models (DEMs) based on MoRIC images covering the Zhurong rover landing area and Mars Chart 11 region. Comparisons between these DEMs and reference DEMs revealed that the elevation accuracy of the former was approximately one ground sampling distance of the MoRIC image, which is consistent with the theoretical accuracy. Based on these results, MoRIC can be used to effectively map the Martian surface via stereo photogrammetry. These results serve as a useful guideline for topographic mapping based on MoRIC images and their application in various streams of research.