Texture analysis applications for the European Space Agency's ExoMars mission Close-Up Imaging system

欧洲航天局的ExoMars红色星球使命定于2011年发射，包括一个配备有一系列分析工具的精密移动的科学平台。它携带的漫游者和相关的科学实验室旨在评估火星表面材料，并通过钻探和地球物理学包评估地下。主要的科学目标是测试火星上过去和现在生命的证据。设备补充的一个关键部分是特写成像仪（CLUPI）。这是一款重量轻、分辨率高、坚固耐用的微型相机（重量小于200 g）。它完成了地质学家的手透镜的作用，提供火星岩石和土壤的宏观到微观图像。它将部署在机械臂的末端（以确保机动性和灵活性）。它的主要功能是帮助确定火星物质的特性，并提供信息，使科学家小组能够确定是否有必要使用巴斯德科学有效载荷进行更详细的分析。该提案寻求资金，以开发创新的图像分析软件，从CLUPI数字数据中提取纹理信息。纹理分析能力的开发将提高CLUPI的科学回报，并增强CLUPI支持其他漫游者功能的能力。目标是开发一套自动矿物和岩石鉴定软件，以提高CLUPI作为一级样本评价工具的效力。鉴于2011年的发射日期，开发智能视觉系统的机会有限，这将是加拿大的独特贡献。该提案寻求三年（2007-2010年）的资金，这被认为是一个现实的时间轴和投资，以确保一个可行的一揽子计划。除了支持ExoMars使命目标，并提供及时和独特的研究机会外，图像分析系统的开发将为其他行星体提供新的应用（例如，在月球上，也在地球上。CLUPI拍摄彩色、立体、高分辨率图像的能力将提供对着陆场地质的极好了解，并可能有助于识别第一批具有生物意义的地外结构。

The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission to the Red Planet, scheduled for launch in 2011, comprises a sophisticated mobile science platform equipped with an array of analytical tools. The rover and associated science laboratory that it carries are designed to evaluate Martian surface materials and to assess the subsurface via a drill and geophysics package. The primary science goal is to test for evidence of past and present life on Mars. A critical piece of the equipment complement is the Close-Up Imager (CLUPI). This is a lightweight, high-resolution, robust micro-camera (weighing less than 200 g). It fulfills the role of the geologist's hand lens in providing macro- to microscopic images of Martian rocks and soils. It will be deployed on the end of a robotic arm (to ensure mobility and dexterity). Its prime function will be to help characterize Martian materials and to provide information that will enable the scientist team to determine whether more detailed analysis is warranted using the Pasteur Science Payload. This proposal seeks funds to develop innovative image analysis software to extract textural information from CLUPI digital data. Development of a texture analysis capability will enhance the science return of CLUPI, as well as augment CLUPI's ability to support additional rover functions. The goal is to develop an autonomous mineral and rock identification package that will improve the effectiveness of CLUPI as a first-order sample evaluation tool. Given the launch date of 2011, there is a limited window of opportunity to develop an intelligent vision system, which will represent a distinctly Canadian contribution. This proposal seeks funding for three years (2007-2010), which is considered a realistic timeline and investment to secure a viable package. As well as supporting the ExoMars mission objectives, and respresenting a timely and unique research opportunity, the development of the image analysis system will provide for new applications on other planetary bodies (e.g., the Moon), as well as here on Earth. The ability of CLUPI to take colour, stereo, high-resolution images will provide excellent insight into the geology of the landing site, and may facilitate the identification of the first extraterrestrial structures of biological significance.