High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) is a
camera
A camera is an optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), with ...
experiment
An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs whe ...
on ''
Mars Express
''Mars Express'' is a space exploration mission being conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA). The ''Mars Express'' mission is exploring the planet Mars, and is the first planetary mission attempted by the agency. "Express" originally ref ...
''.
[DLR - HRSC on Mars Express]
A version for
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's sur ...
called HRSC-AX was also developed, as was a version for
Mars 96
Mars 96 (sometimes called Mars-8) was a failed Mars mission launched in 1996 to investigate Mars by the Russian Space Forces and not directly related to the Soviet Mars probe program of the same name. After failure of the second fourth-stage ...
.
[ It has four main parts: camera head, super resolution channel, instrument frame, and digital unit.][ At an altitude of 250 km from ]Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...
, SRC can produce images with a resolution of 2.3 meters
The metre (British spelling) or meter (American spelling; see spelling differences) (from the French unit , from the Greek noun , "measure"), symbol m, is the primary unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), though its pr ...
/pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest point in an all points addressable display device.
In most digital display devices, pixels are the ...
of 2.35 km square Mars terrain.[ It has 9 channels and can produce digital terrain models.][ A typical image from HRSC of Mars has a resolution ranging from 12.5 for nadir (directly down) to 25 m/pixel for the farthest off-nadir shots, which can be up to 18.9 degrees.]
/ref>
By the start of 2015, about 70% of Mars had been imaged by Mars at resolutions greater than 20 m per pixel, and 97% at resolutions of least 60 m per pixel.THE HIGH RESOLUTION STEREO CAMERA (HRSC): STATUS AND FACTS (2015)
/ref>
Example observation
Orcus Patera, imaged by the HRSC:
See also
*Trace Gas Orbiter
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO or ExoMars Orbiter) is a collaborative project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Roscosmos agency that sent an atmospheric research orbiter and the ''Schiaparelli'' demonstration lander ...
(next ESA Mars orbiter, arrived 2016)
References
External links
ESA - High Resolution Stereo Camera
Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp) and Gale - Image/HRSCview
Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp) - HRSCview
(oblique view looking east)
HRSC + Phobos
(with SRC shots overlaid)
Phobos by HRSC
HRSC Press release archive
(2004-2012)
HRSC with SRC of Victoria Crater and area near ''Opportunity'' rover's landing siteClouds in Nilokeras Scopulus
* ttps://elib.dlr.de/100711/1/1057.pdf THE HIGH RESOLUTION STEREO CAMERA (HRSC): STATUS AND FACTS (2015) (Includes graph of cumulative surface coverage by resolution, up to 2015)
{{Marsexpress
Mars Express
Spacecraft instruments
Mars imagers
Stereo cameras