The Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE)

The characteristics of a large lidar system, the Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE), which is being developed for launch in 1994 into an earth orbit, are described together with the type of investigations to be performed by LITE. LITE will measure atmospheric parameters such as cloud heights, profiles of aerosols and temperature, and surface characteristics. The experiment is modular in design and can be used as a testbed for the evolution of future lidar designs and technologies. Diagrams of the LITE hardware pallet configuration for Shuttle flights, the LITE telescope receiver configuration, and the optics bench layout are presented.