Recomputation and Updating of MOLA Geolocation

The Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) Precision Experiment Data Records (PEDR) serve as the geodetic reference of Mars. However, these MOLA footprints were geolocated using outdated auxiliary information that dates back to 2003. In this study, we recompute PEDR footprint locations and investigate impact updated spacecraft orbit model rotational on MOLA’s geolocation. We observe quasi-exponential increases near poles up 30 m in recomputation residuals for nadir profiles. Meanwhile, demonstrate limitations exist stored attitude records, which can shift hundreds meters laterally several radially. usage Navigation Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF)-archived instead circumvent issue avoid approximation errors due discrete samplings used geolocation by dataset. These be 60 1 radially amid controlled maneuvers. Furthermore, incorporation profiles 200 0.5 radially, are much larger magnitude than aforementioned dramatic poles. shifted reprocessed significantly inconsistent with after global cross-over analysis.