Geo-Standardizing 3D Modeling of Surface Objects and Related Logical Spaces on Celestial Bodies: Case Studies for Moon and Mars

TL;DR

This paper introduces a standardized 3D modeling framework for surface objects on celestial bodies, demonstrated through Moon and Mars case studies, supporting space heritage preservation and legal frameworks.

Contribution

It develops a conceptual model and extends CityJSON for 3D geospatial datasets of celestial surface features, enhancing planetary spatial data infrastructures.

Findings

Successful creation of 3D datasets for Moon and Mars objects

Demonstrated potential for supporting international space heritage agreements

Contributed to planetary spatial data infrastructure design

Abstract

Establishing frameworks for promoting the realization of various activities on celestial bodies sustainably is of great significance for different contexts, such as preserving the scientific evidence and space heritage. Therefore, this research first proposes a conceptual model that covers the different types of features, attributes, and relationships between them to comprehensively delineate the surface objects and related logical spaces on celestial bodies. It then implements this conceptual model as a CityJSON extension in such a way that allows for creating the three-dimensional (3D) geodatasets that represent these objects and spaces in a standardized manner. Moreover, the usefulness of this study is demonstrated through creating CityJSON datasets that include 3D models of exemplary surface objects from Moon and Mars, such as a historical landing site and related logical spaces, such as exclusion zones for protecting this site. The results of the current study show that there is a strong potential for forming 3D geodatasets on celestial bodies that can provide a notable foundation for the technical implementation of international agreements and legal frameworks. This work also contributes to the design of planetary spatial data infrastructures (PSDI) by incorporating the third dimension.