MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PHOBOS CRATERS AND GROOVES.

Abstract

Introduction: The Russian Mission PHOBOS-GRUNT is tentatively planned for a launch in 2009. It should deliver samples of Phobos’ regolith back to the Earth. The successful landing and sampling of the regolith depend on the smoothness of the surface. So we analyzed the morphological characteristics of craters and grooves using the new data of Mars Express mission. Background. In the August 2004 the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) of Mars Express obtained several high-resolution (7-14 m/pixel) images of Phobos surface [1]. These images made 5 stereo pairs (in the range of 160 – 360 W and 0 – 90 N). Photogrammetic processing of these data lead to consist two digital maps for about 1/3 of Phobos surface [2]. The first map (DTM-1) has resolution 80x80 m/pixel and accuracy 6 m of radius-vector’s determination, but it has several gaps in data net. The second map (DTM-2) is the map of the same relief but smoother and without gaps. Its resolution is 240x240 m/pixel. These maps allowed getting calculated characteristics of relief f.e. declination of the surface features more than100-200 m across.