PLANMAP: Geological mapping supporting the exploration of the Moon, Mars, and Mercury

PLANMAP: GEOLOGICAL MAPPING SUPPORTING THE EXPLORATION OF THE MOON, MARS AND MERCURY Angelo Pio Rossi, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany Matteo Massironi, University of Padova, Italy, Francesca Altieri, INAF-IAPS, Italy Carolyn van der Bogert , Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat, Germany Harald Hiesinger, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat, Germany Nicolas Mangold, Universitè de Nantes, France, David Rothery, Open University, United Kingdom, Matthew Balme, Open University, United Kingdom, Cristian Carli, INAF-IAPS, Italy Riccardo Pozzobon, University of Padova, Italy Andrea Semenzato, University of Padova, Italy Dario Pesce, University of Padova, Italy Francesca Zambon, INAF, Italy Stephane Le Mouelic, Universit´e de Nantes, France, Luca Penasa, University of Padova, Italy, Erica Luzzi, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany Vikram Unnithan, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany Sabrina Ferrari,University of Padova, Italy Geologic mapping is a key element of planetary exploration in mission planning, orbital and rover reconnaissance, and target selection for in-situ analysis and sample return. The vast amount of data collected by planetary missions on the Moon, Mars and Mercury in the last several years can be analysed using more comprehensive and modern approaches than the largely photo-geologic image interpretation of the 1970’s. Geologic maps on Earth carry substantial subsurface three-dimensional information. In the past decades, such dimension lacked in most planetary mapping efforts, mostly due to limitation in underlying datasets. The integrated data analysis of recent surface and subsurface planetary data both from sounding experiments and stereogrammetry- or laser-based surface reconstructions can be matched with compositional information from hyperspectral data, in addition to image interpretation and crater size-frequency surface dating. Planmap aims at integrating, merging and augmenting all these distinct approaches. Robotic and human exploration can directly benefit from methodological and technical advances of the Planmap approach as well as from its mapping products, that will embed results from complementary, heterogeneous datasets. Data analysis and visualisation from Planmap will address both research and training needs. It will foster capacity building and interdisciplinary planetary exploration for planetary scientists, engineers, science and mission operators as well as astronauts. The use of state-of-the-art three-dimensional modelling, visualisation and virtual to augmented reality techniques and tools will allow for immersive data analysis and exploration. Present and future landing sites for robotic and human missions on both the Moon and Mars will be primary targets for Planmap. All mapping products, derived datasets and code will be openly available to the community at large. Cross-fertilisation with other disciplines and for terrestrial applications beyond planetary geoscience is also envisaged. Planmap is supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 776276. More information is available on https://planmap.eu