Processing of laser altimeter time-of-flight measurements to geodetic coordinates

Laser altimeters are commonly used in planetary research for their high geodetic accuracy. A key procedure processing of laser altimeter data is the geolocation. In this process, time-of-flight measurements converted to coordinates pulse footprints on surface target body. Here, we present a consistent and systematic formulation three geolocation models with increasing complexity: static model, spacecraft motion pointing aberration model special relativity model. We show that small velocities relative can be reduced without significant loss then discuss respective accuracies proposed apply them from Mars Orbiter Altimeter (MOLA) onboard Global Surveyor (MGS) Mercury (MLA) MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry Ranging (MESSENGER). While, archived datasets had not considered effect aberration, demonstrate correction due makes insignificant improvements 4–5 m laterally up ± 3 cm radially MOLA profiles, these figures enormously increase about 150 25 when applied MLA orbital profiles.