Orientation of Mars Express/HRSC imagery using laser altimeter data as control information

In this paper we focus on the estimation of exterior orientation parameters of the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) orbiting planet Mars during the European Mars Express mission. One of the challenges for the photogrammetric processing of HRSC images will be the low number of Ground Control Points (GCP’s) on Mars which can be identified and measured in the images in the usual way. Therefore, Mars Observer Laser Altimeter (MOLA)-data is employed as control information in the photogrammetric bundle adjustment of HRSC images. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of alternative approaches to improve exterior orientation parameters employing MOLA-data. Further, we describe set-up of our simulation studies.