The objective of this new, 4-year proposal is to make the goals and objectives of the NASA moon mineralogy mapper (M3) on the isro chandrayaan-1 (CH1) mission a reality for the first time by producing…

The objective of this new, 4-year proposal is to make the goals and objectives of the NASA moon mineralogy mapper (M3) on the isro chandrayaan-1 (CH1) mission a reality for the first time by producing spectral-compositional maps with the high accuracy needed to support research and exploration. The primary objective is to take advantage of recent major improvements in the spatial resolution and geodetic accuracy of lunar topographic data as a basis for calculations to significantly improve the selenolocation of the M3 data. Root-mean-squared (RMS) positional errors will be reduced from ~200 m relative and 450 m absolute to on the order of a pixel (140 m) or better, and the numerous images with gross positional errors of kilometers will be corrected. Secondarily, spectrophotometric accuracy will be improved through the use of a much more detailed topographic model in photometric corrections and more accurate registration to this model. Two datasets will be used: (1) digital data from the M3 PDS archive, including hyperspectral data from two major optical imaging periods, ancillary data including spice kernels, selenolocation files, and engineering data sufficient to reproduce and improve upon earlier RAY-tracing results (boardman ET AL., 2011; green ET AL., 2011); and (2) the full-resolution (~100 m/pixel) digital terrain model (DTM) derived from stereo imaging of the wide angle camera (WAC) instrument on the lunar reconnaissance orbiter (e.g., scholten ET AL., 2011). The work consists of five major tasks: (1) systematic reprocessing of the full dataset through the mission-developed level 1B processing pipeline using the WAC DTM to greatly improve selenolocation accuracy; (2) development of software tools for processing M3 data 'most importantly, a physically rigorous camera model' in the USGS ISIS3; (3) use of the advanced capabilities of isis to control the global M3 dataset with improved accuracy and generate further improved level 1B products; (4) systematic reprocessing of best version of level 1B data through the mission developed level 2 processing pipeline using the WAC DTM to greatly improve photometric accuracy; (5) generation of a complete set of orthorectified and mosaicked (level 3) data products including photometrically normalized spectra and spectral parameter maps; and (6) delivery of products, with interim results to be made available online and final spice kernels, level 1B and level 3 products formally archived to the imaging node of the planetary data system (PDS). The multiple products generated by this effort will serve the broadest possible set of scientific applications of the M3 dataset. Level 1B products, which are not spatially resampled, are essential or studies requiring the highest possible spectral fidelity, and the improved selenolocation accuracy of our results will improve the quality of photometric normalization of these data and facilitate comparison with other datasets. The resampled level 3 products will greatly simplify the use of M3 for regional studies in which summary spectral characteristics suffice. Finally, the combination of a full set of isis tools plus improved spice data will make IT possible for users whose special needs are not met by either of these product sets to do their own M3 processing.