Photogrammetric evaluation of space linear array imagery for medium scale topographic mapping

This thesis is concerned with the 2D and 3D mathematical modelling of satellite-based linear array stereo images and the implementation of this modelling in a general adjustment program for use in sophisticated analytically-based photogrammetric systems. The programs have also been used to evaluate the geometric potential of linear array images in different configurations for medium scale topographic mapping. In addition, an analysis of the information content that can be extracted for topographic mapping purposes has been undertaken. The main aspects covered within this thesis are: - 2D mathematical modelling of space linear array images; - 3D mathematical modelling of the geometry of cross-track and along-track stereo linear array images taken from spacebome platforms; - the algorithms developed for use in the general adjustment program which implements the 2D and 3D modelling; - geometric accuracy tests of space linear array images conducted over high-accuracy test fields in different environments; - evaluation of the geometric capability and information content of space linear array images for medium scale topographic mapping; This thesis concludes that the mathematical modelling of the geometry and the adjustment program developed during the research has the capability to handle the images acquired from all available types of space linear array imaging systems. Furthermore it has been developed to handle the image data from the forthcoming very high-resolution space imaging systems utilizing flexible pointing of their linear array sensors. It also concludes that cross-track and along-track stereo images such as those acquired by the SPOT and MOMS- 02 linear array sensors have the capability for map compilation in 1:50,000 scales and smaller, but only in conjunction with a comprehensive field completion survey to supplement the data acquired from the satellite imagery