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Laser Altimetry for Earth and Planetary ScienceLaser altimeters are presently operating on spacecraft at Mars (MOLA), at the asteroid 433 Eros (NLR), and an earlier system operated at the Moon (Clementine) several years ago. These systems have all advanced our understanding of the evolution of the primary body and several more laser altimeter systems will be launched in the next several years around Earth and other planets to address a wide range of scientific problems. Laser technology for precision altimetry and atmospheric lidar is still in its infancy but the promise of the technology and its demonstrated results already show that laser altimetry/lidar will play an important role in future space observations. To date, lasers have mapped the Moon, Mars, and an asteroid but in a short while they will help measure the planetary librations of Mercury, the tidal distortions of Europa, and tree heights, upper atmosphere winds and the icecaps of planet Earth. Major areas of interest for the immediate future are the development of long-life lasers that can withstand the rigors of long planetary missions in extreme thermal and radiation environments and continue to operate successfully for many years.
Document ID
20010037687
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Smith, David E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Zuber, Maria T.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Meeting Information
Meeting: European Geophysical Society 26th General Assembly
Location: Nice
Country: France
Start Date: March 26, 2001
End Date: March 30, 2001
Sponsors: European Geophysical Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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