Evaluation of image simulation open source solutions for simulation of synthetic images in lunar environment

TL;DR

This paper evaluates open-source image simulation solutions for lunar environments, focusing on camera models and lighting effects to improve synthetic lunar imagery for mission planning and autonomous navigation.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of simulation approaches using real lunar terrain data, enhancing the reliability of synthetic images for lunar exploration.

Findings

Different camera models significantly affect image realism.

Lighting conditions impact the visibility of surface features.

Using real DEM data improves simulation accuracy.

Abstract

Synthetic image generation is one of the crucial input for planetary missions. It enables researchers and engineers to visualize planned planetary missions, test imaging systems and plan exploration activities in a virtual environment before actual deployment. Image simulation is essential for assessing landing sites, detecting hazards, and validating navigation systems in a missions. This study offers a detailed evaluation of various image simulation approaches for the lunar environment, with particular emphasis on the effects of different camera models and light illumination conditions on the quality of synthetic lunar images. These images are produced using real Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and terrain data derived from instruments such as Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC) and NASA's Wide Angle Camera (WAC), and Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) instruments. This research aims to improve the reliability of synthetic imagery in supporting autonomous navigation and decision-making systems in lunar exploration. This work contributes to the development of more effective tools for generating important information for future lunar missions and enhances the understanding of the moon's surface environment.