Unified Representation for Collaborative Visualization of Planetary Terrain Data

We propose to apply to planetary terrain mapping an alternative, multiresolution method, subdivision surfaces (subdivs), in place of conventional digital elevation maps (DEMs) and fixed-resolution meshes. The proposed research is innovative in that it presents a new setting for subdivs that demands novel extensions to subdivision algorithms, techniques and theory. The primary objectives of this work are to: (1) demonstrate suitability of subdivs as a representation for terrain data with highly varied spatial resolution and 3-D features; (2) demonstrate their ability to encode, and later re-register, local detail non-destructively through hierarchical edits; and (3) prototype a software user interface introducing new capabilities enabled by the subdiv representation. The expected benefits are: (a) higher-fidelity terrain visualization with reduced infrastructure requirements; (b) ability to visualize 3-D features, such as overhangs, missed in DEM's; (c) compact encoding with natural level-of-detail control for interactive viewing even on mobile devices; (d) greater algorithmic efficiency for non-visualization scientific computation; and (e) enablement of new software-tool capabilities for dynamic mapping of alternative local-terrain datasets, non-destructive experimentation, collaboration, and data traceability. The innovation also promises capability and reliability benefits to a surface robot by unifying terrain representations and enabling minimal upload of only incremental terrain details from the ground.

We believe present and near-future applications for this innovation within NASA include: - Planetary and lunar terrain mapping in support of science and mission planners - Mars terrain mapping in support of future high-tempo missions - Regolith mapping - Representation of rover and tool geometry in a common format with terrain for unified planning and immersive visualization - Representation of structured (man-made) environments for robot operations - Earth terrain mapping in support of field scientists using mobile devices - Earth terrain mapping in support of changing-landscape studies, e.g., involving polar-ice remodeling due to climate change or representing erosion progression in coastal studies

We foresee broad and compelling applications for this innovation in commercial and military settings: - New terrain methods for military or commercial mapping, including for mobile use by soldiers and field workers - New methods for bathymetry representation and visualization for naval and commercial-marine applications - New methods for offline terrain rendering, for example for film production - New methods for real-time terrain rendering, for example for commercial and military flight simulation and for immersive 3-D computer games

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