Performance testing of an active boresight mechanism for use in the CALIPSO space bourne LIDAR mission

Chris Seckar; Larry Guy; Angela DiFronzo; Carl Weimer

doi:10.1117/12.614516

30 August 2005 Performance testing of an Active Boresight Mechanism for use in the CALIPSO space bourne LIDAR mission

Chris Seckar, Larry Guy, Angela DiFronzo, Carl Weimer

Proceedings Volume 5877, Optomechanics 2005; 58770X (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.614516
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The CALIPSO LIDAR utilizes a receiver telescope with a narrow Field-of-View (FOV) to reject background light and meet SNR requirements - FOV ≈ 130 μrad. To maximize SNR the laser is collimated (divergence ≈100 μrad) and must be aligned to the receiver telescope FOV to within +/- 12 μrad (allocated). To make accurate LIDAR measurements the receiver/laser alignment must not vary by more than +/- 10 μrad (allocated) over an orbit. To make accurate depolarization measurements of clouds, the polarization axis of the laser must be aligned to within +/- 0.5 degrees (allocated) relative to the aft optical bench polarization axis and maintain alignment throughout the motion of the boresight adjustment range. The Active Boresight Mechanism provides a means of re-aligning the laser to the telescope on-orbit. A comprehensive performance testing campaign demonstrated that the Active Boresight Mechanism met or exceeded requirements. On-orbit performance results are imminent, as CALIPSO is scheduled for launch this Fall.

Citation Download Citation

Chris Seckar, Larry Guy, Angela DiFronzo, and Carl Weimer "Performance testing of an Active Boresight Mechanism for use in the CALIPSO space bourne LIDAR mission", Proc. SPIE 5877, Optomechanics 2005, 58770X (30 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.614516

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