High performance Lunar landing simulations

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-resolution lunar terrain simulation platform using SurRender, enabling real-time, detailed visualizations crucial for autonomous lunar landing navigation systems.

Contribution

It introduces a new lunar terrain simulation environment that fuses multi-resolution DEMs and procedural textures, supporting real-time rendering of a 20m resolution global Moon model.

Findings

Real-time rendering of a 20m resolution lunar model

Integration of multi-resolution DEMs and procedural textures

Enhanced simulation capabilities for lunar landing navigation

Abstract

Autonomous precision navigation to land onto the Moon relies on vision sensors. Computer vision algorithms are designed, trained and tested using synthetic simulations. High quality terrain models have been produced by Moon orbiters developed by several nations, with resolutions ranging from tens or hundreds of meters globally down to few meters locally. The SurRender software is a powerful simulator able to exploit the full potential of these datasets in raytracing. New interfaces include tools to fuse multi-resolution DEMs and procedural texture generation. A global model of the Moon at 20m resolution was integrated representing several terabytes of data which SurRender can render continuously and in real-time. This simulator will be a precious asset for the development of future missions.