Integrating Stereo Images and Laser Altimeter Data of the ZY3-02 Satellite for Improved Earth Topographic Modeling

The positioning accuracy is critical for satellite-based topographic modeling in cases of exterior orientation parameters with high uncertainty and scarce ground control data. The integration of multi-sensor data can help to ensure precision topographical modeling in such situations. Presently, research on the combined processing of optical camera images and laser altimeter data has focused on planetary observations, especially on the Moon and Mars. This study presents an endeavor to establish a combined adjustment model with one constraint in image space for integration of ZY3-02 stereo images and laser altimeter data for improved Earth topographic modeling. The geometric models for stereo images and laser altimeter data were built first, and then, the laser ranging information was introduced to construct a combined adjustment model on the basis of the block adjustment model. One constraint that minimized the back-projection discrepancies in image space was incorporated into the combined adjustment. Datasets in several areas were collected as experimental data for the validation work. Experimental results demonstrated that the inconsistencies between stereo images and laser altimeter data for the ZY3-02 satellite can be reduced, and the elevation accuracy of stereo images can be significantly improved after applying the proposed combined adjustment. Experiments further proved that the improved height accuracy is insensitive to the number and relative position of laser altimeter points (LAPs) in stereo images. Moreover, additional plane control points (PCPs) were incorporated to achieve better planimetric accuracy. Experimental results in the Dengfeng area showed that the adjustment results derived by using LAPs and additional four PCPs were only slightly lower than those for the block adjustment with four ground control points (GCPs). Generally, the proposed approach can effectively improve the quality of Earth topographic model.