HiRISE Digital Terrain Models for Mars Surface Analysis

NASA and USGS released digital terrain models (DTMs) processed from Planetary Data System JP2 files. The data are map-projected, converted to Cloud Optimized GeoTiffs, and controlled to the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) geodetic reference frame. These DTMs are released by the University of Arizona via the Planetary Data System.

Use Cases

• Generate high-resolution Martian elevation maps based on the digital terrain model data.
• Analyze surface geomorphology and crater topography based on the controlled MOLA coordinate reference frame.
• Train ML models for terrain classification using the processed Cloud Optimized GeoTiff (COG) format.
• Perform co-registration studies comparing these controlled DTMs with uncontrolled HiRISE image products.

Strengths

• Data is controlled to the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), providing a consistent geodetic reference frame.
• Files are processed into Cloud Optimized GeoTiffs (COGs) for efficient remote data access.
• Released under a CC0-1.0 license, allowing for unrestricted use and redistribution.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data are not guaranteed to co-register with uncontrolled HiRISE image products.

Provenance

Source

NASA / USGS, processed and released by the University of Arizona via the Planetary Data System (PDS).

Collection Method

Processed from PDS-stored JP2 files, map projected, and converted to Cloud Optimized GeoTiffs.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

Mars, using simple cylindrical or polar stereographic projections.