This page provides information on the history of planetary cartography research and program planning for NASA. This has been a community-based effort driven by the need to develop and maintain a cartographic capability in support of NASA missions of space exploration. To comment or add to this page please contact Brent Archinal (barchinal@usgs.gov).
The goals are to:
- Enabling the best possible science return from missions
- Enabling exploration
- Lowering costs or at least economy of scale
- Fulfilling USGS Astrogeology’s role in advising NASA
-
B. A. Archinal, R. L. Kirk, L. R. Gaddis, J. Hagerty, J.
Skinner, T. N. Titus, L. P. Keszthelyi, T. Hare, S. J.
Lawrence, R. Beyer, A. Nefian, T. Fong, and T. Duxbury
(2014). “The Need for Lunar and Planetary
Cartography Planning,” Annual Meeting of the Lunar
Exploration Analysis Group, Laurel, MD, October 22-24.
Abstract no. 3029. Abstract available
as
http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/leag2014/pdf/3029.pdf
.
- Subject: NASA Lunar and Planetary Cartography Planning Needs, highlighting lunar needs and including a recommendation to the NASA Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG).
-
Brent Archinal (2014) “The Need to Restart NASA Planetary Cartography Planning, NASA Planetary Science Division Presentation," October 21. Presentation available as
http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/NeedForCartographyPlanning-forPSD-20141021_final.pptx.
Accessed 2014 November 5.
- Subject: Need to restart NASA Planetary Cartography planning, as presented to staff of the NASA Planetary Sciences Division.
-
J. A. Skinner, Jr. (2014). “Planetary Geologic Mapping (PGM):
An introduction to the process and product,” NASA Planetary Science Division Presentation, October 21.
Presentation available as http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/PlanetaryGeologicMapping_NASA-HQ_Oct21_2014.pdf.
Accessed 2014 November 5.
- Subject: Overview of NASA Planetary Geologic mapping, including some community concerns.
-
Brent Archinal,
Randolph L. Kirk, Jürgen Oberst, Marita Wählisch,
Irina P. Karachevtseva, and Thomas Duxbury (2014).
“The need for international planetary cartography
planning and cooperation,” Scientific Event B0.8,
Planetary Data Management and Exploitation, 40th COSPAR
Scientific Assembly, no. B0.8-0003-14. Presented by
Jürgen Oberst on 2014 August 3. Abstract available
as
https://www.cospar-assembly.org/abstractcd/COSPAR-14/abstracts/B0.8-0003-14.pdf
. PowerPoint
presentation available as
http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/Archinal-2014COSPAR-CartoPlanningNeed-presentation_mod.pptx
or
Archinal-
http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/Archinal-2014COSPAR-CartoPlanningNeed-presentation_mod.pdf.
- Subject: International Planetary Cartography Planning Needs
-
B. A. Archinal, R.
L. Kirk, L. R. Gaddis, T. N. Titus, K. E. Herkenhoff, L. P.
Keszthelyi, S. J. Lawrence, R. Beyer, and A. Nefian
(2014). “The Need for Planning the Future of
Planetary Cartography,” Proceedings of the 45th Lunar and
Planetary Science Conference, 2014 March 17-21, The Woodlands,
Texas, abstract no. 2466. Available from
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2014/pdf/2466.pdf.
Poster available as
http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2014/eposter/2466.pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA Cartography Planning Needs
-
Ara V. Nefian, Julie Bellerose, Ross A. Beyer, Brent Archinal, Laurence Edwards,
Pascal Lee, Tony Colaprete and Terry Fong (2014). “Mapping Needs for
Human and Robotic Mission to Small Bodies,” NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group
meeting, January 8-9, Washington, D.C. Available as
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/jan2014/presentations/09_1135_Nefian_2014_01_09_sb_mapping_SBAG.pdf
.
Accessed 2014 November 5.
- Subject: Report on study and white paper (Nefian et al., 2013 below) regarding small body mapping needs.
-
Astrogeology
Science Center (2013). “The Status of Cartography
Planning for NASA,” submitted by L. Gaddis to L. Glaze,
VEXAG chair, November 1. Available from: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/Carto-recommendations-USGS-for-VEXAG_Nov.1.13.zip. (Zip
password supplied separately - please
email.)
- Subject: NASA Cartography Planning Needs
-
Brent Archinal
(2013). “A Response to the Asteroid Initiative
Request for Information,
NASA Solicitation
Number: NNH13ZCQ001L,” July 18. Available
as: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/AI-RFI-response-Archinal_USGS.pdf.
- Subject: NASA cartography planning needs for asteroid exploration.
-
Timothy N. Titus
and Brent Archinal (2013). “USGS – An Update
on Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers
(ISIS) as it Applies to Small Bodies and the Need for NASA
Cartography Planning,” NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group
meeting, July 10-22, Washington, D.C. Available
as:
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/jul2013/presentations/Titus.pdf. See
slides 11-27 regarding Cartography Planning. Accessed
2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA cartography planning needs, particularly for small bodies.
-
Ara V. Nefian,
Julie Bellerose, Ross A. Beyer, Brent Archinal, Laurence
Edwards, Pascal Lee, Anthony Colaprete, and Terry Fong
(2013). “Human and Robotic Mission to Small Bodies:
Mapping, Planning and Exploration - A Study for the Advanced
Exploration Systems (AES) Joint Robotic Precursor Activities
(JRPA) Project”. NASA/TM–2013–216538,
White Paper, June 14. Available from
http://ti.arc.nasa.gov/publications/
(with search
by author). Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA cartography planning needs for small bodies.
-
Brent Archinal,
Randolph Kirk, Ken Edmundson, Mark Rosiek, Lisa Gaddis, Ara
Nefian, Terry Fong, Ross Beyer, and Julie Bellerose
(2013). “The Need for NEO Close Mapping and
Characterization,” in 2013 IAA Planetary Defense
Conference, 15-19 April, Flagstaff, AZ, in press.
Abstracts no longer available - last accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA cartography planning needs for NEOs.
-
Randolph Kirk
(2013). “Why You're Lost in Space without High
Level Cartographic Products,” presentation at LPSC Town
Hall Meeting on Planetary Mapping and Cartography.
Available from
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/groups/lpsc-2013-planetary-mapping-town-hall
as file
“LPSC13_Kirk_Lost.pptx”.
- Subject: Importance of planetary cartography. Includes “recipe for good cartography” and “Challenges for the Future”.
-
Intelligent
Robotics Group, NASA Ames Research Center (2013).
“Planning for the Mapping and Exploration of Human and
Robotic Missions to Small Bodies,” presentation at LPSC
Town Hall Meeting on Planetary Mapping and Cartography.
Available from
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/groups/lpsc-2013-planetary-mapping-town-hall
as file
“Nefian_NEO-mapping.ppt”.
- Subject: Recommendations for cartographic processing for small bodies, and (strategic) knowledge gaps for small body mapping.
-
Brent A. Archinal,
Randolph L. Kirk, Lazlo P. Keszthelyi, Lisa R. Gaddis, and Mark
R. Rosiek (2012). “Can (and Will) the Data be
Processed? Technology Development to Address Science
Questions,” International Workshop on Instrumentation for
Planetary Missions (IPM-2012), Greenbelt, Maryland, October
10-12. Abstract no. 1151. Available as
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/ipm2012/pdf/1151.pdf
.
- Subject: Planetary instrument (calibration, design) and cartographic (geodetic control, algorithms, tool development, standards) needs.
-
Brent Archinal
(2012). “Planetary Cartography Issues &
Concerns,” from internal briefing to various NASA
Planetary Science Division staff, October 8. Available
from: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/AstroNASAHQ-SMD-201210_v4.zip . (Zip password
supplied separately - please email.)
- Subject: NASA planetary cartography issues
-
R. L. Kirk, E.
Howington-Kraus, B. A. Archinal, L. P. Keszthelyi, and M. P.
Golombek (2012). “Landers and Rovers Need High
Resolution Topographic Maps: Lessons from the NASA Mars
Exploration Program,” Concepts and Approaches for Mars
Exploration, June 12-14, Houston, Texas, abstract no.
4361. Available at
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/marsconcepts2012/pdf/4361.pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: (Mars) landing site mapping needs and lessons learned.
-
M. Milazzo, B.
Archinal, R. Kirk, S. Akins, T. M. Hare, L. Keszthelyi, J.
Anderson, and L. Gaddis (2012). “Improved Data
Processing Approaches for Future Mars Exploration
Missions,” Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration,
June 12-14, Houston, Texas, abstract no. 4351. Available
at
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/marsconcepts2012/pdf/4351.pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA planetary cartography needs.
-
L. Keszthelyi, C.
Dundas, R. Fergason, B. Archinal, and R. Kirk (2012).
“Some Requirements for Future Orbital Assets to Support
Safe and Productive Landed Missions,” Concepts and
Approaches for Mars Exploration, June 12-14, Houston, Texas,
abstract no. 4232. Available at
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/marsconcepts2012/pdf/4232.pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA needs for future Mars mapping datasets.
-
R. L. Kirk, B. A.
Archinal, L. R. Gaddis, and M. R. Rosiek (2012).
“Lunar Cartography: Progress in the 2000s and Prospects
for the 2010s,” ISPRS Commission IV, IV/7 Planetary
Mapping and Databases, XXII International Society for
Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing Congress, Melbourne,
Australia, August 25 – September 1. Available
as http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/ISPRS12_Kirk_Lunar_Mapping.pdf.
- Subject: Lunar cartography and international lunar cartography needs.
-
B. A. Archinal, R.
L. Kirk, L. R. Gaddis, and M. R. Rosiek (2012).
“Unifying Lunar Topographic and Other Datasets,”
Proceedings of the 43nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference,
2012 March 19-23, The Woodlands, Texas, abstract no.
2394. Available as
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2012/pdf/2394.pdf.
- Subject: NASA needs for lunar mapping.
-
B. A. Archinal
(2012). “High-Value, Unified Lunar Topographic and
Other Datasets,” The 6th KAGUYA (SELENE) Science Working
Team Meeting, Nagoya, Japan, abstract. http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/FutureLunarProcessing-marginforPDF.pdf.
- Subject: International needs for lunar mapping.
-
Committee on the
Planetary Science Decadal Survey (2011). “Vision
and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade
2013-2022,” The National Academies Press, Washington,
D.C. Available from
https://download.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13117.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: Decadal survey for Planetary
Science. The survey unfortunately does not appear to
address many of the concerns of the Johnson et al. white paper
(listed below), but selected quotes related to planetary
cartography follow: …planetary geologic mapping …
[is one item that is] crucially important to NASA’s
long-term science goals, and … require[s] funding. (p.
21).
- R&A programs like planetary cartography are also
critical for mission planning, ensuring that (for instance)
cartographic and geodetic reference systems are consistent
across missions to enable proper analysis of returned data. (p.
126).
- Advancing understanding of the full range of surface
processes operative on outer planet satellites requires global
reconnaissance with 100-meter scale imaging of key objects,
particularly Europa, Titan, and Enceladus as well as
topographic data and high-resolution mapping (~10 meters/pixel)
of selected targets to understand details of their formation
and structure. (p. 227).
- Development of standards for geodetic
and cartographic coordinate systems should be encouraged, and
these systems should be documented and archived within a
NAIF/SPICE framework. (p. 288).
- Geodetic studies of the rotation states of these bodies [Europa, Saturnian satellites, Triton] might provide additional constraints on ocean characteristics. (p. 238)
- Subject: Decadal survey for Planetary
Science. The survey unfortunately does not appear to
address many of the concerns of the Johnson et al. white paper
(listed below), but selected quotes related to planetary
cartography follow: …planetary geologic mapping …
[is one item that is] crucially important to NASA’s
long-term science goals, and … require[s] funding. (p.
21).
-
B. A. Archinal, M.
F. A’Hearn, E. Bowell, A. Conrad, G. J. Consolmagno, R.
Courtin, T. Fukushima, D. Hestroffer, J. L. Hilton, G. A.
Krasinsky, G. Neumann, J. Oberst, P. K. Seidelmann, P. Stooke,
D. J. Tholen, P. C. Thomas, and I. P. Williams (2011).
“Report of the IAU Working Group on Cartographic
Coordinates and Rotational Elements: 2009,” Cel. Mech.
& Dyn. Ast., 109, no. 2, February, 101-135, doi
10.1007/s10569-010-9320-4. Available from
http://www.springerlink.com/content/g272325h45517581/
or
from
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/search/details/Docs/WGCCRE/WGCCRE2009reprint/pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: IAU Solar System planetary constants standards, and brief international planetary cartography recommendations (see Section 8).
-
J. R. Johnson, B.
Archinal, R. Kirk, L. Gaddis, J. Anderson, and the NASA
Planetary Cartography And Geologic Mapping Working Group
(PCGMWG, including B. Bussey, R. Beyer, L. Bleamaster, W.
Patterson, J. Gillis-Davis, T. Watters, P. Schenk, and B.
Denevi) (2010). “The Importance of A Planetary
Cartography Program: Status and Recommendations for NASA
2013-2023,” Planetary Science Decadal Survey White
Paper. Available from
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/ssbsurvey/publicview.aspx
(web page 4,
document “JeffreyRJohnson.doc”). Also
available as
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/decadal/sbag/topical_wp/JeffreyRJohnson.pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA planetary cartography needs and recommendation “to create a long range planetary mapping and cartography plan” (page 8).
-
B. A. Archinal and
the Lunar Geodesy and Cartography Working Group (2009).
“Activities of the NASA LPRP Lunar Geodesy and
Cartography Working Group,” Proceedings of the 40th Lunar
and Planetary Science Conference, 2009 March 23-27, The
Woodlands, Texas), abstract no. 2095. Available
at
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2009/pdf/2095.pdf.
- Subject: LGCWG (currently on hiatus) support of lunar mapping standards.
-
B. A. Archinal, R.
L. Kirk, J. R. Johnson, L. R. Gaddis, and J. A. Anderson
(2008). “Planetary Cartographic Planning: Concerns
and Possible Solutions,” from briefing to various NASA
Planetary Science Division staff, November 14. Available
from: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/AstroNASAHQ-SMD-201210_v4.zip. (Zip
password supplied separately - please email.).
- Subject: NASA planetary cartography issues, the need for cartography planning.
-
R. L. Kirk, B. A.
Archinal, L. R. Gaddis, M. R. Rosiek, E. Howington-Kraus, T. M.
Hare (2008). “What is Planetary Cartography?
…and Why Does it Matter?” from briefing at NASA
Headquarters, November 14. Available from
http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/NASAHQ08_Kirk_WhatIsCarto.ppt.
- Subject: Review of planetary cartography and its importance.
-
NASA Advisory
Council (2007). Recommendation S-07-C-13 of the NASA
Advisory Council to NASA Administrator Griffin, p. 14,
see
http://bit.ly/x0HnnM
(formerly
available at
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/oer/nac/reccommendations/Recommend-5-07.pdf). Accessed
2014 April 4.
- Subject: NAC recommendation to geodetically control all lunar datasets.
-
B. A. Archinal, L.
R. Gaddis, R. L. Kirk, T. M. Hare, and M. R. Rosiek
(2007). “Urgent Processing and Geodetic Control of
Lunar Data,” Workshop on Science Associated with the
Lunar Exploration Architecture, Tempe, AZ, February 27 –
March 2. Available as
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/LEA/whitepapers/ArchinalLEA07_Archinal_datacontrol.pdf. Accessed
2014 April 4.
- Subject: Urgent NASA needs for lunar mapping.
-
T. M. Hare, M. R.
Rosiek, B. A. Archinal, R. L. Kirk, and L. R. Gaddis
(2007). “Lunar Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
for Dataset Synthesis and Analysis,” Workshop on Science
Associated with the Lunar Exploration Architecture, Tempe, AZ,
February 27 – March 2. Available as
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/LEA/whitepapers/Hare_Lunar_GIS_lea2007_Hare.pdf.
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: NASA needs for a lunar GIS system.
-
B. A. Archinal
(2006). “Lunar Coordinates and Cartography:
Coordinate System Establishment, Improvement, and Control
(Registration) of Lunar Datasets, from Past, Present and Future
U. S. and Foreign Missions,” response to NASA Request for
Information (RFI): Developing a Strategy for Future Exploration
of the Moon and Beyond, May 12. Available
as: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/ESRFI-LunarCoordinates-%20Archinal.pdf .
- Subject: NASA needs for lunar mapping.
-
Randolph L. Kirk
(2006). “Image-Based Topographic Mapping of the
Moon,” response to Request for Information (RFI):
Developing a Strategy for Future Exploration of the Moon and
Beyond, May 12. Available as: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/ESRFI_LunarTopo_Kirk.pdf.
- Subject: NASA needs for lunar topographic mapping.
-
Trent Hare
(2006). “Lunar Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
for Dataset Synthesis and Analysis,” response to Request
for Information (RFI): Developing a Strategy for Future
Exploration of the Moon and Beyond, May 12. Available
as: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/ESRFI_GIS_Hare_May06.pdf.
- Subject: Recommendations for the creation of a Lunar GIS system.
-
T. C. Duxbury, R.
L. Kirk, B. A. Archinal, and G. A. Neumann (2002).
“Mars Geodesy/Cartography Working Group Recommendations
on Mars Cartographic Constants and Coordinate Systems,”
ISPRS, v. 34, part 4, “Geospatial Theory, Processing and
Applications,” Ottawa. See
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/search/details/Research/ISPRS/Duxbury/pdf.
(Originally located at:
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/ISPRS/MEETINGS/ottawa/index.html)
Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: MGCWG Mars coordinate system recommendations.
-
T. C. Duxbury, R.
Kirk, and B. A. Archinal (2001). “Mars
Geodesy/Cartography Working Group Recommendations on Mars
Cartographic Constants and Coordinate Systems,” ISPRS WG
IV/9: Extraterrestrial Mapping Workshop "Planetary Mapping
2001", virtual workshop. See
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/search/details/Research/ISPRS/isprs_etm_OCT01_duxbury_A_mars_constants/pdf
for on-line
abstract. Accessed 2014 April 4.
- Subject: MGCWG Mars coordinate system and map product recommendations.
-
Planetary
Cartography Working Group (PCWG) (1993?).
“Planetary Cartography 1993-2003,” unknown
publisher and publisher location. Scanned 2014 March
31. Available as: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/PlanetaryCartography1993-2003.pdf.
- Subject: Most recent completed 10 year NASA planetary cartography plan.
-
The Planetary
Cartography Working Group (PCWG) (1989). “Planetary
Cartography in the Next Decade: Digital Cartography and
Emerging Opportunities,” NASA TM 4092, March.
Scanned 2014 April 7. Available as:
http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/PlanetaryCartographyInTheNextDecade1989.pdf.
- Subject: Update to initial 10 year NASA planetary cartography plan.
-
The Planetary
Cartography Working Group (PCWG) (1984). “Planetary
cartography in the next decade (1984-1994),” NASA SP-475,
Scientific and Technical Information Branch, Washington,
D.C. Scanned 2014 April 7. Available
as: http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/PlanetaryCartographyInTheNextDecade.pdf.
- Subject: Initial 10 year NASA planetary cartography plan.
-
R. M. Batson
(1981). “Status and Future of Extraterrestrial
Mapping Programs,” NASA Contractor http://astropedia.astrogeology.usgs.gov/download/Docs/Cartography/StatusFutureETMapping.pdf.
- Subject: Status and plans for planetary mapping.