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

欧洲航天局计划于2011年发射前往这颗红色星球的外火星任务，包括一个配备了一系列分析工具的复杂的移动科学平台。它搭载的火星车和相关的科学实验室旨在评估火星表面的材料，并通过钻探和地球物理包评估地下。主要的科学目标是测试火星上过去和现在生命的证据。特写成像仪(CLUPI)是设备配套中的一个关键部件。这是一款轻便、高分辨率、坚固耐用的微型相机(重量不到200克)。它实现了地质学家手持镜头的作用，提供了火星岩石和土壤的宏观和微观图像。它将被部署在机械臂的末端(以确保机动性和灵活性)。它的主要功能将是帮助确定火星物质的特征，并提供信息，使科学家团队能够确定是否需要使用巴斯德科学有效载荷进行更详细的分析。这项提议寻求资金，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。纹理分析能力的发展将增强CLUPI的科学回报，以及增强CLUPI支持额外漫游车功能的能力。其目标是开发一套自主的矿物和岩石鉴定包，以提高CLUPI作为一阶样本评估工具的有效性。鉴于2011年的发射日期，开发智能视觉系统的机会窗口有限，这将代表着加拿大的明显贡献。这项提案寻求三年(2007-2010年)的资金，这被认为是一个现实的时间表和投资，以确保一个可行的一揽子计划。除了支持外火星任务的目标，并重新提供一个及时和独特的研究机会，图像分析系统的开发将在其他行星体(例如月球)以及地球上提供新的应用。CLUPI拍摄彩色、立体、高分辨率图像的能力将提供对着陆点地质的极好洞察，并可能有助于识别第一批具有生物意义的外星结构。

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.