3-Dimensional Reconstruction of the ROSETTA Targets - Application to Asteroid 2867 Steins

Abstract

The OSIRIS imaging experiment aboard the Rosetta spacecraft will image asteroids Steins in September 2008 and Lutetia in 2010, and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. An accurate determination of the shape is a key point for the success of the mission operations and scientific objectives. Based on the experience of previous space missions (Deep Impact, Near, Galileo, Hayabusa), we are developing our own procedure for the shape reconstruction of small bodies. We use two different techniques : i) limb and terminator constraints and ii) ground control points (GCP) constraints. The first method allows the determination of a rough shape of the body when it is poorly resolved and no features are visible on the surface, while the second method provides an accurate shape model using high resolution images. We are currently testing both methods on simulated data, using and developing different algorithms for limb and terminator extraction (e.g.,wavelet), detection of points of interest (Harris, Susan, Fast Corner Detection), points pairing using correlation techniques (geometric model) and 3-dimensional reconstruction using line-of-sight information (photogrammetry). Both methods will be fully automated. We will hopefully present the 3D reconstruction of the Steins asteroid from images obtained during its flyby. Acknowledgment: Sébastien Besse acknowledges CNES and Thales for funding.