DEM Generation for Lunar Surface using Chandrayaan-1 TMC Triplet Data

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is an important prerequisite for understanding the lunar surface. However, making accurate DEM is a very challenging task due to (a) lack of support of projection parameters in COTS packages (eg. PCI Geomatica), which are to be used in generation of Lunar DEM and (b) unavailability of Ground Control Points (GCPs). In the present study, DEM generation of lunar surface was attempted without GCPs using Rational Function (RF) model from Chandrayaan-1 TMC triplet images. In the study, a good correlation (of almost same order) is observed between Nadir-Fore (NF), Nadir - Aft (NA), Fore - Aft (FA) and Fore - Nadir - Aft (FNA) image pairs. The results suggest that DEM for lunar surface can be created without GCPs using RF model.