Title:
Lunar Crater Identification using Triangle Reprojection

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Thrasher, Ava C.
Christian, John A.
Molina, Giovanni
Hansen, Michael
Pelgrift, John Y.
Nelson, Derek S.
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Abstract
Image-based terrain relative navigation is a critical capability for future lunar exploration missions. Images of the lunar surface containing craters can be compared to on-board maps to identify craters and estimate the spacecraft position. While there are many ways to accomplish the crater identification task, this work explores a method using triangulation and crater triangle pattern projections. Specifically, potential matching crater patterns from the catalog and image are used to triangulate the spacecraft position, allowing for construction of line-of-sight directions to the potential matching catalog craters. The projection of these directions in the image can be compared to the observed craters to accept or reject the match hypothesis. In this paper, we demonstrate the algorithm's capability in handling various types of input errors and what tolerances can be tuned to achieve a desired performance. Additionally, an initial look at flight software implementation is included.
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Date Issued
2023-08
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Paper
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Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved