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Planetary Spatial Analyst
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| We propose the development of the Planetary Spatial Analyst, a software tool that provides 3D visualization and advanced spatial
analysis technologies for use with planetary mission data products. These technologies include methods for classification, spatial
statistics, comparison, and computation of derived data products as well as 3D visualization in the context of planetary terrain. With
the substantial increase in the volume of planetary data, traditional analysis methods have become time-consuming, inefficient, and not
easily reproducible. It is essential that researchers have advanced interactive and automated techniques for extracting information
from these data at their disposal. We will adapt many of the spatial analytical techniques currently used in the Earth science
community as well as some from the planetary science field. The Planetary Spatial Analyst will provide these techniques in planetary
coordinate systems and with software practices familiar to the planetary science community. Our tool will use the topographic data
products derived from orbital imagery for terrain visualization. Furthermore, this tool will be implemented as an extensible component
of the Mars mission software environment and will provide capabilities for collaboration using common geographic software
applications. We anticipate that the Planetary Spatial Analyst will accelerate fundamental knowledge building research in preparation
of the exploration of our solar system. |
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