CONSTRUCTION OF A 3D MEASURABLE VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENT BASED ON GROUND PANORAMIC IMAGES AND ORBITAL IMAGERY FOR PLANETARY EXPLORATION APPLICATIONS

Abstract. This paper presents a method of constructing a measurable virtual reality environment based on ground (lander/rover) panoramic images and orbital imagery. Ground panoramic images acquired by a lander/rover at different azimuth and elevation angles are automatically registered, seamlessly mosaicked and projected onto a cylindrical surface. A specific function is developed for inverse calculation from the panorama back to the original images so that the 3D information associated with the original stereo images can be retrieved or computed. The three-dimensional measurable panorama is integrated into a globe viewer based on NASA World Wind. The techniques developed in this research can be used in visualization of and measuring the orbital and ground images for planetary exploration missions, especially rover missions.