The Laser Altimeter for Planetary Exploration (LAPE)

Details The Laser Altimeter for Planetary Exploration (LAPE) The Laser Altimeter for Planetary Exploration (LAPE)

Apr 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja....12399r&link_type=abstract

EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #12399

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Laser based altimetry can be a very beneficial tool for remote planetary exploration. This technique can provide accurate information on the surface profile (topographic mapping) in a fast and cost effective manner, allowing, within the characteristics of the spacecraft orbit, repeated global coverage of the planet surface. A laser altimeter can further determine the shape of the planet and the amount of libration in the planets rotation. The key characteristics of laser altimetry are therefore: 1) good altitude resolution (of order 1 m) and range (of order 500-1000 km); 2) active measurements principle (i.e. not requiring direct sun illumination); 3) relatively simple detection chain (as compared to radar based systems); 4) low resources budget (e.g. mass, power, envelope, data rate); 5) relatively simple interface and integration with the spacecraft. Laser altimeters have already been flown onboard a number of space missions, including Earth Observation and Planetary Exploration missions. A laser altimeter forms a key component of the model payload for the ESA mission to Mercury, Bepi-Colombo (onboard the Planetary Orbiter, MPO). The European Space Agency is presently working on the definition of a generic laser altimeter for planetary exploration. The mission to Mercury is being used as a reference for the definition of the environmental and operational requirements. The paper presents the preliminary results obtained during the definition phase of the instrument design. It is envisaged that such instruments may in the future form part of a standard, yet flexible, package for future planetary remote sensing missions.

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