ABSTRACT
Technology Developments.............. 856 Acknowledgments................................................................ 859 Appendix A .......................................................................... 860
Geometry of Space-Based Lidar Remote Sensing..... 860
Appendix B .......................................................................... 867 List of Acronyms ........................................................ 867
References............................................................................ 868
9.1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter discusses several atmospheric measurements that can be made by Earth-orbiting, Earth-looking lidar (light detection and ranging, laser radar, optical radar, ladar) systems. We have seen that lidar systems of many different types operated from a number of different platforms (laboratories, vehicles, airplanes, and balloons) have been developed to fill a variety of measurement needs. However, many application that require understanding of global scale phenomena such as climate, atmospheric chemistry, water and carbon cycles require observations from satellite platforms.’ Even if the cost of building a large network of ground-based instruments is not excessive, the oceans and many other areas of the globe are largely inaccessible. Traditionally, these global measurements have been made using passive sensors operating in the optical or microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Space-based lidar technology is being developing to fit applications where passive sensors cannot meet current measurement requirements. Lidar remote sensing enjoys the advantages of excellent vertical and horizontal resolution; easy aiming; independence from natural light for the signal and from background noise; and control and knowledge of transmitted wavelength, pulse shape, and polarization and received polarization.
