Marsviewer is a multi-platform application designed to aid in quality control, browsing, and analysis of original science product images (Experiment Data Records, or EDRs) and derived image data products (Reduced Data Records, or RDRs) returned by the Mars Explorer Rover (MER) mission. Marsviewer offers an abstraction of the products' organization via a "file finder." For example, the application "understands" the file structure and filename conventions of the MER Operational Storage Server, helping the user to navigate this complex file system to find desired images. Marsviewer also works with a flat file system, remote-operations file systems, image-archive file systems, and others. All EDRs found for a given solar day (Sol) are displayed in a list, optionally with thumbnail images. Once the user selects an image from the list, a tabbed pane conveniently displays the original source image and all associated RDRs. Marsviewer provides the option of overlaying derived images upon the source image, resulting in an easier-to-interpret color representation of the data. Display manipulations such as zoom, data range adjustment, contrast enhancement, and contour control are available. Image metadata (labels) from the current image can be displayed and searched. The architecture of the program is extensible: new types of RDRs can be installed and new file finders can be added to adapt the program to different file structures and different filename conventions. This keeps the application flexible and provides an opportunity for reuse with future rover missions.
This program was written by Nicholas Toole and Robert Deen of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-40852.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Marsviewer
(reference NPO-40852) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for Marsviewer, a tool developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to enhance the visualization and management of images and data from Mars Exploration Rover (MER) missions. It outlines the motivation behind the development of Marsviewer, its capabilities, and its significance in the context of Mars exploration.
Mars missions generate a substantial amount of data, with the Mars Image Processing Laboratory (MIPL) receiving between 50 to 350 images daily per mission. Each image can lead to up to a dozen derived products, making the monitoring and management of this data critical for planning daily activities and scientific analysis. The document emphasizes the complexity of the file structure associated with these images and products, which necessitates a robust solution for data handling.
The primary motivation for Marsviewer is to encapsulate the knowledge of the intricate file structure, allowing users to focus on viewing product sets without the burden of locating them. This separation enhances the readability of the data and improves the visual representation of the products, facilitating greater understanding for scientists and researchers. The design of Marsviewer is based on an extensible architecture, ensuring that it can adapt to new and evolving requirements and product types.
The document also outlines the capabilities of Marsviewer, which include advanced visualization features that enhance the interpretation of Mars data. It serves as a demonstration of how technology can be leveraged to support scientific endeavors in space exploration. The package is part of NASA's Commercial Technology Program, aimed at disseminating aerospace-related developments with broader technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
In addition to the technical aspects, the document provides contact information for further assistance and resources available through NASA's Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program Office. It emphasizes that the information is provided without any liability from the U.S. Government or its representatives, and any use of trade names is for identification purposes only.
Overall, the Technical Support Package for Marsviewer serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the tool's role in managing and visualizing Mars exploration data, highlighting its importance in advancing our knowledge of the Martian environment.
