A NEW MAP SERIES FOR THE PLANET MARS — 
CONCEPT AND REALIZATION OF THE »TOPOGRAPHIC IMAGE MAP MARS 1: 200 000« 
Hartmut Lehmann 
Technical University of Berlin, Department for Photogrammetry and Cartography 
Sekr. EB9, Str. d. 17. Juni 135, D-10623 Berlin, Germany 
Phone: +49-30-314 26398, Fax: +49-30-314 21104, E-Mail: hartmut @fpk.tu-berlin.de 
Commission IV 
KEY WORDS: Space, Design, Extraterrestrial Mapping, Image Map, Mars 
1. ABSTRACT 
The planet Mars has been subject to mapping activities since decades. Due to the quality of sources and image data this 
was restricted to small or medium map scales. However, the image data to be acquired by the High Resolution Stereo 
Camera (HRSC) and the Wide Angle Optoelectronic Stereo Scanner (WAOSS) will allow the generation of maps in 
larger scales. These German camera systems aboard the Russian spacecraft Mars96 will provide systematic coverage 
of the planet’s surface. The mapping potential of the data expected will considerably exceed what has been possible so 
far. 
According to the potential of the cameras and in particular the spatial resolution of the image data the scale 1:200 000 
was selected as the primary scale for future mapping activities. The new map series »Topographic Image Map MARS 
1:200 000« is generated in equal area map projections. For practical reasons the Sinusoidal Projection has been 
  
selected for the whole planet except the polar regions which are mapped in Lambert Azimuthal Projection. The paper 
describes the conception of the new map series for Mars, the map sheet definitions and their layout. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
The Russian spacecraft Mars 96 will be launched in No- 
vember 1996 and will reach the planet Mars in fall 1997. 
The payload includes two German camera systems, 
namely the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and 
the Wide Angle Optoelectronic Stereo Scanner (WAOSS). 
Both cameras have been designed to meet photo- 
grammetric and cartographic requirements, and to provide 
high resolution multispectral and panchromatic stereo 
data sets from the Martian surface. The systems follow 
the three-line approach to obtain stereo image data for 
photogrammetric evaluation, for the derivation of Digital 
Terrain Models (DTM) and orthoimages resp. image maps 
(Albertz et al. 1992a). 
Since 1992 the Technical University of Berlin contributes 
to the software development for photogrammetric and car- 
tographic processing of the data to be acquired during the 
Mars96 camera experiment. These activities comprise the 
generation of digital terrain models (DTM), orthoimage 
generation, mosaicking, and cartographic processing as 
well. 
2. THE NEED AND THE PURPOSE 
OF THE NEW MAP SERIES 
The Martian surface has been subject to mapping acti- 
vities since decades. However, the image data provided 
through past space missions were only suited to generate 
global map series in small or partly medium scales. The 
Camera experiments aboard the Mars96 spacecraft 
(Albertz et al. 1996) will provide much higher resolution, 
Slereo capability for photogrammetric evaluation and 
Systematic coverage of the planet's surface. This is why 
the mapping potential will considerably exceed what has 
been possible so far. This is not only because of the 
regional and global coverage of stereo imagery and the 
availability of high precision DTM's but also due to a con- 
497 
siderably improved geodetic control network. Thus, a 
completely new situation for mapping the planet in high- 
quality topographic maps can be envisaged. 
In order to make best use of the image data and also to 
provide a qualified base for future thematic mapping new 
map series will be produced as soon as possible. Accor- 
ding to the potential of the cameras and in particular the 
spatial resolution of the image data the scale 1:200 000 
was selected as the primary scale for future mapping 
activities. 
It is intended to make these maps available in colour or 
black & white. The production will make full use of the 
flexibility of digital image processing and computer-aided 
mapping. Thus the realization of the new map series 
provides a modular structure containing all parameters 
and digital regulations and standards for design, 
compilation and reproduction of any sheet of this new 
series, on every hardware standard defined for this 
project. 
3. REFERENCE SYSTEMS 
For the generation of a new map series geometric refe- 
rence systems have to be defined, to which the applied 
map projections and the provided height information 
information (e.g. contour lines) refer. 
The definitions for the mapping reference system have 
been subject to many discussions in the Photogrammetry 
and Cartography Working Group (PCWG) of the 
HRSC/WAOSS Science Team (Albertz et al. 1996). 
Finally it was accepted that the reference body will be 
* for planimetry a bi-axial ellipsoid centered in the 
Martian center of mass and 
* for heights a tri-axial ellipsoid centered also in the 
Martian center of mass. 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B4. Vienna 1996