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Compact, Passively Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser for the MESSENGER Mission to the Planet MercuryA compact, passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been developed for the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) instrument which is an instrument on the MESSENGER mission to the planet Mercury. The laser achieves 5.4 percent efficiency with a near diffraction limited beam. It has passed all space flight environmental tests at system, instrument, and satellite integration. The laser design draws on a heritage of previous laser altimetry missions, specifically ISESAT and Mars Global Surveyor; but incorporates thermal management features unique to the requirements of an orbit of the planet Mercury.
Document ID
20040171271
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Krebs, Danny J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Novo-Gradac, Anne-Marie (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Li, Steven X. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lindauer, Steven J. (Northrop Grumman Corp. Apopka, FL, United States)
Afzal, Robert S. (Spectra Systems Corp. Providence, RI, United States)
Yu, Antony (Northrop Grumman Corp. Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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