It can be difficult to get a sense of scale when viewing two-dimensional, black and white images taken from overhead. I’m interested in generating imagery that can help visualize terrains as if you were standing on the surface.

I generate and visualize high-resolution digital elevation models of planetary surfaces for both desktop-based and immersive virtual reality experiences. Oftentimes these manually generated datasets achieve significantly better spatial resolution than preexisting global mosaics, which can aid in the geologic and engineering characterization of candidate landing sites for future human and robotic missions.

Publications

B.D. Boatwright and J.W. Head (2024). “Shape-from-shading refinement of LOLA and LROC NAC digital elevation models: Applications to upcoming human and robotic exploration of the Moon,” in Results and Exploration of Lunar Science by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission. The Planetary Science Journal 5, 124.

Abstracts

B.D. Boatwright and J.W. Head (2025). “New Topographic Data Products for Ina Irregular Mare Patch and Hadley–Apennine Region, Moon.” LPSC 56, #1075.

B.D. Boatwright (2023). “Improved Workflow and Automation of CTX and HiRISE Stereo DEM Production with USGS ISIS and Ames Stereo Pipeline.” 6th Planetary Data Workshop, #7009.

Mission Design Studies

M. Daniti, J. Head, D.R. Scott, B. Boatwright, L. Rothschild, C. Maurer, D. Eppler, R. Creel, R. Martin, W. Mickey, D. Fryd, C. Wu. “Hadley Max 500-Day Design Reference Mission (DRM) to the Apollo 15 Hadley–Apennine Region: Application of Science Goals and Objectives to Planning Long Duration Exploration Architecture.” LPSC 55, #1667.

A.T. Basilevsky, J.W. Head, S.S. Krasilnikov, M.A. Ivanov, M.I. Malenkov, G.G. Michael, T. Liu, D.R. Scott, L. Lark, B.D. Boatwright, C. Wu, W.L. Mickey, Jr. (2023). “Exploration of Mons Malapert: Topographic, Geologic and Trafficability Considerations.” Artemis III Candidate Landing Regions Workshop, #2011.

A. Arredondo, A. Hodges, J.N.H. Abrahams, C.C. Bedford, B.D. Boatwright, J. Buz, C. Cantrall, J. Clark, A. Erwin, S. Krishnamoorthy, L. Magaña, R.M. McCabe, E.C. McIntosh, J.L. Noviello, M. Pellegrino, C. Ray, M.J. Styczinski, P. Wiegel (2022). “VALENTInE: A Concept for a New Frontiers–Class Long-duration In Situ Balloon-based Aerobot Mission to Venus.” The Planetary Science Journal 3, 152.

A.M. Palumbo, A.N. Deutsch, M.S. Bramble, J.D. Tarnas, B.D. Boatwright, L.H. Lark, E.M. Nathan, J.A. Wilner, Y. Chen, B.A. Anzures, C.A. Denton, L. Tokle, G. Casey, A.G. Pimentel, J.W. Head, K.R. Ramsley, U. Shah, A. Kothandhapani, H.P. Gokul, J. Mehta, V. Vatsal (2019). “Scientific exploration of Mare Imbrium with OrbitBeyond, Inc.: Characterizing the regional volcanic history of the Moon.” New Space 7, 137-150.

Published Data Repositories

HiRISE Stereo Digital Elevation Models of Intracrater Inverted Channels

CTX Stereo Digital Elevation Models of Noachian Proglacial Paleolakes and Pit-Floored Craters

SfS-Refined Digital Elevation Models of Malapert Massif and Mons Agnes, Moon