Applications of Deployable Telescopes for Earth-observing Lidar

AstractNASA’s Advanced Component Technology (ACT) Program is funding the development and testing of the Deployable Optics Modeling Experiment (DOME) at the University of Colorado for developing and advancing to flight readiness high-precision deployable optics technology to enable space-based lidar measurements. In this project; precision deployment, microdynamic stabilization, and modeling technologies are verified through experiments. Longrange lidar measurements from space require efficient and high power lasers, and large collection area receivers. Large collection area receivers with diameter size >2m are needed to enable lidar measurement of key atmospheric species like ozone, water vapor, and CO2; improve microphysical characterization of aerosols and cloud lidar systems; and for improving the performance of direct detection wind lidars. Large area deployable telescopes enable these measurements by improving the measurement sensitivity and accuracy. These systems will reduce the demand for power, mass, and volume of the transmitter; and can reduce the cost and risk of space missions. In addition, they also reduce the requirements on power dissipation and improve laser eye safety requirements (due to lower requirements on output laser power). Features of DOME will be presented along with requirements for and applications of this technology for lidar measurements from space. Lidar measurement simulations will be presented that show the improvement in the performance of lidar systems employing deployable telescopes.