The Camera Experiments HRSC and WAOSS on the Mars 94 Mission

Abstract

The High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and the Wide-Angle Optoelectronic Stereo Scanner (WAOSS) are remote sensing instruments of the ARGUS platform to be flown onboard the Russian Mars 94 spacecraft. The main objectives of the HRSC experiment are to acquire stereo image data, to derive detailed digital terrain models and orthophotos, to examine morphological features, geological processes and surface-atmosphere interactions. The camera will be operating in nine channels with different inclinations, different geometric resolution, and different spectral bands. The highest geometric resolution of 10 m/pixel will be achieved at an altitude of 250 km at periapsis. WAOSS will also acquire stereo image data using similar camera design. It consists of three panchromatic channels comprising two inclined stereo views with 80 m resolution at periapsis. The main interest in interpretation of WAOSS data is the examination of major atmosphere and large-scale surface phenomena. The paper describes the concepts and the specifications of the cameras and the approaches for processing the data. Main emphasis is laid on photogrammetric and cartographic processing.