Spaceborne laser ranging from EOS

High precision laser ranging measurements from an Earth Observing System (EOS) platform would provide data for conducting a variety of basic geoscience investigations. For example, range data to retroreflectors arranged in grids located at tectonic plate boundaries could be used to study the spatial and temporal distribution of the crustal movements associated with stress accumulation and release in an earthquake cycle. The Geodynamics Laser Ranging System (GLRS) is a proposed facility instrument for EOS that can perform the ranging function as well as simple height-measurement altimetry over ice sheets. This instrument is the derivative of several generations of ground-based laser trackers and prototype laboratory systems. The Geoscience Laser Altimetry/Ranging System (GLARS) is an advanced laser ranging system which would provide higher accuracy ranging observations and detailed altimetric mapping of surface height distributions over land and ice sheets.