Abstract

The Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE) is a direct detection backscatter lidar built by N ASA Langley Research Center to fly on the Space Shuttle. The purpose of the program was to develop the engineering processes required for a space lidar and to demonstrate applications of space lidar to remote sensing of the atmosphere. The instrument was flown on Discovery in September 1994. Global observations of clouds and aerosols were made during 10 days of the mission between the latitudes of 57N and 57S. Experience gained during this experiment and the dataset acquired will aid in development of future operational systems such as the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS).

© 1995 Optical Society of America