Quality Assessment of Stereophotoclinometry as a Shape Modeling Method Using a Synthetic Asteroid

Abstract The stereophotoclinometry (SPC) software suite has been used to generate global digital terrain models (DTMs) of many asteroids and moons, was the primary tool by Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission model shape asteroid Bennu. We describe dedicated preflight testing SPC for OSIRIS-REx using a synthetic “truth” model. metrics that determine internal consistency DTM, but it not known how these are related absolute accuracy which important operational needs mission. an SPC-generated DTM cannot be determined without knowing truth topography. Consequently, we developed realistic, synthetic, computer-generated representation Bennu, photographed this in imaging campaign similar planned mission, then generated from images. compared represented radius every 70 cm across surface, assess accuracy. found can 3D root-mean-square within factor two