this.geometry = new THREE.SphereGeometry(this.planet_radius, this.planet_geom_segments, this.planet_geom_rings);
    this.geometry.computeTangents();

    this.shader = THREE.ShaderUtils.lib.normal;
    this.uniforms = THREE.UniformsUtils.clone(this.shader.uniforms);

    this.uniforms.tNormal.value = THREE.ImageUtils.loadTexture(this.planet_normals_texture);
    this.uniforms.uNormalScale.value.x = 1.5;
    this.uniforms.uNormalScale.value.y = 1.5;

    this.uniforms.tDiffuse.value = planet_surface_texture;

    this.uniforms.tSpecular.value = THREE.ImageUtils.loadTexture(this.planet_specular_texture);
    this.uniforms.enableAO.value = false;
    this.uniforms.enableDiffuse.value = true;
    this.uniforms.enableSpecular.value = true;
    this.uniforms.uDiffuseColor.value.setHex(0xffffff);
    this.uniforms.uSpecularColor.value.setHex(0x0000ff);
    this.uniforms.uAmbientColor.value.setHex(0xffffff);
    this.uniforms.uShininess.value = 99;
    this.uniforms.uDiffuseColor.value.convertGammaToLinear();
    this.uniforms.uSpecularColor.value.convertGammaToLinear();
    this.uniforms.uAmbientColor.value.convertGammaToLinear();

    this.surface_material = new THREE.ShaderMaterial({
        fragmentShader: this.shader.fragmentShader,
        vertexShader: this.shader.vertexShader,
        uniforms: this.uniforms,
        lights: true
    });