Abstract

A space-based Doppler Lidar Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) has been proposed by NASA as a facility instrument for the NASA Earth Observing System. A LAWS Simulation Model (LSM) has been developed to assess the impact of a spaced-based Doppler lidar wind profiler on global and regional features. Hardware feasibility and data studies are ongoing.¹,²,³ The uniqueness of global Lidar wind measurements from space raises many fundamental questions that may impact the design of such a system. The distribution of aerosols that provide backscatter, the molecular attenuation that reduces signal strength, the effects of wind shear and turbulence that effect measurement accuracy, and the presence of thin cirrus clouds that can enhance the performance are all issues that must be considered.

© 1990 Optical Society of America