Mars 2020 Terrain Relative Navigation Context Camera Orthorectified Image Mosaic

This is a visible image mosaic generated from the Context Camera (CTX) images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This product is the Lander Visions System (LVS) map that will be onboard the spacecraft and will be the “truth” dataset that TRN will use to orient itself relative to the surface during Entry, Decent, and Landing. The images were orthorectified using digital terrain models (DTMs) created from CTX stereo images. The mosaic is generated at the same resolution at which the individual CTX images were acquired, which is approximately 6 meters per pixel. This mosaic was created in support of the Mars 2020 rover, which will explore Jezero crater, Mars to investigate an ancient delta for evidence of past microbial life and to better understand the geologic history of the region. The landing system onboard Mars 2020 will use technology developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) called Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), which will enable the spacecraft to autonomously avoid hazards (e.g., rock fields, crater rims) that exceed the safety requirements of the landing system. This capability allows small-scale hazards to be present in the landing ellipse, providing greater flexibility in selecting a landing location. In support of TRN, the USGS Astrogeology Science Center has generated and delivered this product, which is the Lander Vision System (LVS) map.