Control of OSIRIS-REx OTES Observations using OCAMS TAG Images

Abstract

As the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft descended toward the asteroid Bennu to collect a sample from the surface in the touch-and-go (TAG) procedure, many of the instruments were actively collecting observation data. We applied the process of photogrammetric control to accurately determine the position and attitude of 190 OCAMS MapCam and SamCam descent images at the time of exposure. The average image pixel resolution is 10cm (median is 7cm). The images were controlled to ground using simulated images generated from high resolution (5cm, 44cm and 88cm ground sample distance) shape models of Bennu. After least-squares adjustment, the root mean square (rms) of all image measurement residuals was 0.16 pixels. These results were applied to 581 OTES observations by interpolation over the updated ephemeris of the OCAMS MapCam and SamCam instruments using frame transformations from OCAMS to the OTES frame. Then, the surface intercept of the OTES field of view was recomputed by ray tracing the adjusted boresight look direction onto the 44cm shape model. The average of the adjusted OTES boresight surface intercepts differed from the a priori locations on the 88cm shape model by ~37cm with an uncertainty less than 5cm.