Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) Remote Measurements of STS-3 Ground Cloud Emissions

摘要

Under joint sponsorship by NASA and the USAF, Computer Genetics Corporation demonstrated the feasibility of lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) remote sensing techniques for the characterization of booster exhaust clouds produced by STS operations. Analysis of data performed shows that the mobile lidar test bed can successfully track ground clouds from an observation point greater than 7 kilometers distant and acquire cloud main body and fallout particulate backscatter data which can be correlated to geographical footprints. The STS-3 launch measurements demonstrated the practical feasibility of lidar to provide accurate information for evidentiary challenge, health and environmental studies, and model development. (Author)