Back in July 2020, the Tianwen-1 mission launched by China’s CNSA successfully entered the orbit of Mars. This groundbreaking mission comprised an orbiter, a lander, two deployable cameras, a remote camera, and the Zhurong rover. Its primary objective is to delve deep into Mars’s geology and internal structure, analyze its atmosphere, and seek signs of water on the planet. Moreover, like numerous other spacecraft exploring Mars, Tianwen-1 aims to uncover possible evidence of past and present life on the Red Planet.
The Tianwen-1 mission by the China National Space Administration has set a new benchmark by generating the highest-resolution global color-image map of Mars ever created. Over the course of nearly 1298 days, remote-sensing images captured by the orbiter have been meticulously compiled by a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This high-resolution map boasts spatial resolutions surpassing 1 km, showcasing Mars in exquisite detail like never before.
Traditionally, global maps of Mars have been constructed using data from various spacecraft instruments on different missions. Previous missions such as Mariner 9, Viking 1 and 2, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Express, and Mars Odyssey have all contributed to these maps. However, the spatial resolution achieved by the CAS team utilizing Tianwen-1’s images far exceeds those of earlier maps.
The team led by Professor Li Chunlai and Professor Zhang Rongqiao meticulously processed the vast amount of image data collected by Tianwen-1. By employing bundle adjustment technology to optimize the original orbit measurement data, they were able to minimize position deviation to less than one pixel. This innovative approach resulted in a seamless global mosaic, showcasing the true colors of Mars with unparalleled accuracy and consistency.
The release of the Tianwen-1 Mars Global Color Orthomosaic 76 m v1 marks a significant milestone in planetary mapping. With a spatial resolution of 76 m and horizontal accuracy of 68 m, this map stands as the most detailed true-color global map of Mars to date. Not only does it enhance the resolution and color authenticity of previous maps, but it also serves as a crucial reference for space agencies worldwide. This map could aid in selecting landing sites for future missions and provide valuable insights for upcoming robotic explorers.
The Tianwen-1 mission’s achievement in creating a high-resolution global color-image map of Mars highlights the remarkable progress in space exploration technology. This breakthrough not only advances our understanding of Mars but also paves the way for future endeavors in planetary exploration. The unprecedented level of detail and accuracy offered by this map sets a new standard in mapping extraterrestrial landscapes and opens up exciting possibilities for further exploration of the Red Planet.