Active remote sensing technology development plans for NASA's Earth Science Enterprise

Abstract

Future remote sensing instruments for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) will depend heavily upon lidars as active sources. Applications will include measurement of the chemical composition of the atmosphere, including global atmospheric CO 2 , tropospheric wind velocity and surface altimetry. In many cases, the technology requirements for these measurements exceed the state of the art in commercially available laser systems. Consequently, considerable research will be necessary in laser technologies in order to enable the future measurement needs of the ESE.In this paper we will describe the strategy that NASA's ESE will use to develop the necessary laser and supporting technologies. We will illustrate roadmaps of the various measurement needs detailing specific technology investments. In particular we will review the findings from workshops recently conducted by NASA to determine the technology drivers for these measurements.The Earth Science Technology Office is responsible for developing advanced technologies for the ESE, as such, this information is presented in order to communicate the relevancy of, and the need for investments in these technologies to the broadest technical audience.

Promoting Robust Design of Diode Lasers for Space: A National Initiative

“…At the time that the DAWG was established, NASA already had in place a significant LDA test program as a component of its Laser Risk Reduction Program (LRRP) [10,11]. The LRRP has since become the umbrella program for NASA activities related to DAWG.…”