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Development of Prototype Micro-Lidar using Narrow Linewidth Semiconductor Lasers for Mars Boundary Layer Wind and Dust Opacity ProfilesWe have developed a compact Doppler lidar concept which utilizes recent developments in semiconductor diode laser technology in order to be considered suitable for wind and dust opacity profiling in the Mars lower atmosphere from a surface location. The current understanding of the Mars global climate and meteorology is very limited, with only sparse, near-surface data available from the Viking and Mars Pathfinder landers, supplemented by long-range remote sensing of the Martian atmosphere. The in situ measurements from a lander-based Doppler lidar would provide a unique dataset particularly for the boundary layer. The coupling of the radiative properties of the lower atmosphere with the dynamics involves the radiative absorption and scattering effects of the wind-driven dust. Variability in solar irradiance, on diurnal and seasonal time scales, drives vertical mixing and PBL (planetary boundary layer) thickness. The lidar data will also contribute to an understanding of the impact of wind-driven dust on lander and rover operations and lifetime through an improvement in our understanding of Mars climatology. In this paper we discuss the Mars lidar concept, and the development of a laboratory prototype for performance studies, using, local boundary layer and topographic target measurements.
Document ID
20000013031
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Menzies, Robert T.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Cardell, Greg
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Chiao, Meng
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Esproles, Carlos
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Forouhar, Siamak
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Hemmati, Hamid
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Tratt, David
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Tenth Biennial Coherent Laser Radar Technology and Applications Conference
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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