DeepDEMs: Generating Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the Moon and Mars from 2-D Images using Deep Learning

This thesis investigates the quality and usefulness of "DeepDEMs" from Moon and Mars images, which are Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) created using deep learning from single optical images. High-resolution DEMs of Moon and Mars are increasingly critical for gaining insights into the slope and the elevation of the terrain in the region which helps in identifying the landing sites of possible manned missions and rovers. However, many locations of interest to scientists who use remote sensing to study the Earth or other planetary bodies have only visible image data coverage, and not repeated stereo image coverage or other data collected specifically for DEM generation. Thus, Earth and planetary scientists, geographers, and other academics want DEMs in many locations where no data resources (repeat coverage or intensive remote sensing campaigns) have been assigned for geomorphic or topographic study. One specific use for deep learning-generated terrain models would be to assess probable sites in the lunar south polar area for NASA's future Artemis III mission which aims to return people to the lunar surface. While conventional techniques (for example, needing two stereo pictures from satellites for photogrammetry) work well, this high-resolution data only covers a small portion of the planets. Furthermore, older approaches need lengthy processing durations as well as human calibration and tweaking to achieve high-quality DEMs. To address the coverage and processing time concerns, we evaluated deep learning algorithms for creating DEMs of the Moon and Mars' surfaces. We explore how the findings of this study may be used to create elevation models for planetary mapping in the future using automated methods.