Elastic backscattering lidar for a MSTI satellite

Sie sind hier: Homepage > Suche

Elastic backscattering lidar for a MSTI satellite

T. W. Meyer / D. M. Alde / J. L. Banger

An elastic backscattering lidar is being built for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to fly on a MSTI (Miniature Seeker Technology Integration) satellite in low-earth orbit. It is planned that the 90-kg payload be designed, constructed, and tested in a two-year time interval. It features a 76-cm diameter primary light collection mirror and a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) emitting 1.5 joules per pulse at a repetition frequency of 50 Hz. The telescope, fixed with respect to the satellite, has a 6(degrees) field-of-regard, within which a scanning mirror will select the laser beam direction and the field-of-view of 0.5 mr. Other payload elements are the detector (avalanche photodiode) and the R3081-microprocessor-based payload control electronics. This payload will de rate the capability of a lidar system on a small satellite to track a theater missile both during boost phase and after burnout. Expected signal amplitudes will be presented, based on available data and on our own measurements of missile plumes with a ground-based lidar. Finally, missile tracking accuracies will be discussed.