Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE)

Abstract

[1] The HiRISE camera features a 0.5 m diameter primary mirror, 12 m effective focal length, and a focal plane system that can acquire images containing up to 28 Gb (gigabits) of data in as little as 6 seconds. HiRISE will provide detailed images (0.25 to 1.3 m/pixel) covering $1% of the Martian surface during the 2-year Primary Science Phase (PSP) beginning November 2006. Most images will include color data covering 20% of the potential field of view. A top priority is to acquire $1000 stereo pairs and apply precision geometric corrections to enable topographic measurements to better than 25 cm vertical precision. We expect to return more than 12 Tb of HiRISE data during the 2-year PSP, and use pixel binning, conversion from 14 to 8 bit values, and a lossless compression system to increase coverage. HiRISE images are acquired via 14 CCD detectors, each with 2 output channels, and with multiple choices for pixel binning and number of Time Delay and Integration lines. HiRISE will support Mars exploration by locating and characterizing past, present, and future landing sites, unsuccessful landing sites, and past and potentially future rover traverses. We will investigate cratering, volcanism, tectonism, hydrology, sedimentary processes, stratigraphy, aeolian processes, mass wasting, landscape evolution, seasonal processes, climate change, spectrophotometry, glacial and periglacial processes, polar geology, and regolith properties. An Internet Web site (HiWeb) will enable anyone in the world to suggest HiRISE targets on Mars and to easily locate, view, and download HiRISE data products.

A lake in Uzboi Vallis and implications for Late Noachian–Early Hesperian climate on Mars

“…The availability of data from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) (McEwen et al, 2007), Context Camera (CTX) (Malin et al, 2007), and the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft details the 10-m to sub-meter morphology and sedimentary stratigraphy exposed in Uzboi Vallis. These data, particularly HiRISE images of $26-52 cm/pixel-scales, provides evidence for water impoundment along the length of Uzboi Vallis.…”

Polygon pattern geomorphometry on Svalbard (Norway) and western Utopia Planitia (Mars) using high-resolution stereo remote-sensing data

“…Martian polygonal structures were analyzed using High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) data (McEwen et al, 2007). HiRISE provides data that have a quality and scale comparable to HRSC-AX, with a very high spatial resolution of 30 cm pixel −1 and the possibility of 3D views by stereo pairs.…”

Scalloped terrains in the Peneus and Amphitrites Paterae region of Mars as observed by HiRISE

“…We and other authors have expanded this view by analysis of scalloped depressions in the region of Utopia Planitia (Morgenstern et al, 2007;Soare et al, 2007;Costard et al, 2008;Lefort, 2008;Lefort et al, 2009). The present work follows our study of Utopia Planitia (Lefort et al, 2009) using HiRISE data (McEwen et al, 2007) of similarly scalloped depressions and associated periglacial features in Peneus/Amphitrites Paterae. We included HiRISE images at 11 sites within the range of 56-59°S and 50-65°E, including three with stereo coverage.…”