Abstract

Spaceborne laser sounders have been identified as important payload elements for future planned earth-observation missions in view of their capabilities to fulfill important observational needs for 21st century meteorology, climatology, and environmental research. However, laser performance, reliability, lifetime, power demand, and compactness are very critical from the technology stand-point and need to be fully addressed to meet the operational requirements of a multi-year space mission. In addition space qualification aspects dictate precise choices for the mechanical, thermal, and optical laser design.

© 1991 Optical Society of America