Multi-resolution topographic data extraction from Martian stereo imagery

Recently, the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) deployed two major optical pushbroom CCD cameras which are capable of across-track stereo targeting. Both Context Camera (CTX) and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) provide very high resolution stereo imagery at 6 m and submetre, respectively. A stereo processing chain has been developed which uses a non-rigorous sensor model with geodetic control derived from a reference stereo data source (HRSC) and is here shown to be successfully applied to CTX and HiRISE stereo imagery for 3 test areas. This processing chain is here demonstrated to generate excellent quality DTMs (up to a maximum grid spacing of 0.7 m with HiRISE and 10 m with CTX) and associated ortho images. The photogrammetric quality of these products is here verified using inter-comparisons with HRSC and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data sets and shows good agreement.