Global 3D model reconstruction of Phobos integrating high-resolution imaging data from the Tianwen-1 mission
- 1Key Laboratory of Lunar and Deep Space Exploration, National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Abstract
Context. Tianwen-1 was successfully launched in July 2020 and has been operating normally since entering its remote sensing exploration phase in February 2021. The High-Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC) aboard Tianwen-1 provided a valuable opportunity to observe Phobos. Aims. To address the relative scarcity of imaging data for the trailing hemisphere of Phobos, we first designed an observation strategy for Tianwen-1 and imaged this region using HiRIC. The resulting imagery covers the Öpik crater region, which lies near the center of the trailing hemisphere and serves as a representative area for assessing local reconstruction quality. Our objective is to integrate these new observations with historical imagery from multiple missions to reconstruct a global three-dimensional (3D) model of Phobos with high geometric accuracy. Methods. We developed a three-step incremental stereo-photogrammetric (SPG) processing strategy and applied it to 851 images from the Mars Express, Viking Orbiter, and Tianwen-1 HiRIC. Results. The incorporation of Tianwen-1 HiRIC observations not only improves the overall geometric accuracy of the model but also enhances the reconstruction of the topography in the Öpik crater region on the trailing hemisphere. The resulting model also supports updated estimates of Phobos’ volume, surface area, and bulk density, which provide useful a priori information for planning future deep-space exploration missions.
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BibTeX
@article{dingxin2026global,
title = {{Global 3D model reconstruction of Phobos integrating high-resolution imaging data from the Tianwen-1 mission}},
author = {Liu Dingxin and Yan Wei and Liu Jianjun and Ren Xin and Zeng Xingguo and Gao Xingye and Chen Wangli},
journal = {Astronomy \& Astrophysics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202661471},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202661471},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global 3D model reconstruction of Phobos integrating high-resolution imaging data from the Tianwen-1 mission
AU - Liu Dingxin
AU - Yan Wei
AU - Liu Jianjun
AU - Ren Xin
AU - Zeng Xingguo
AU - Gao Xingye
AU - Chen Wangli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - Astronomy & Astrophysics
DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/202661471
UR - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202661471
AB - Context. Tianwen-1 was successfully launched in July 2020 and has been operating normally since entering its remote sensing exploration phase in February 2021. The High-Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC) aboard Tianwen-1 provided a valuable opportunity to observe Phobos. Aims. To address the relative scarcity of imaging data for the trailing hemisphere of Phobos, we first designed an observation strategy for Tianwen-1 and imaged this region using HiRIC. The resulting imagery covers the Öpik crater region, which lies near the center of the trailing hemisphere and serves as a representative area for assessing local reconstruction quality. Our objective is to integrate these new observations with historical imagery from multiple missions to reconstruct a global three-dimensional (3D) model of Phobos with high geometric accuracy. Methods. We developed a three-step incremental stereo-photogrammetric (SPG) processing strategy and applied it to 851 images from the Mars Express, Viking Orbiter, and Tianwen-1 HiRIC. Results. The incorporation of Tianwen-1 HiRIC observations not only improves the overall geometric accuracy of the model but also enhances the reconstruction of the topography in the Öpik crater region on the trailing hemisphere. The resulting model also supports updated estimates of Phobos’ volume, surface area, and bulk density, which provide useful a priori information for planning future deep-space exploration missions.
SN - 0004-6361
SN - 1432-0746
ER -