Coherent launch-site atmospheric wind sounder: theory and experiment

Abstract

The coherent launch-site atmospheric wind sounder (CLAWS) is a lidar atmospheric wind sensor designed to measure the winds above space launch facilities to an altitude of 20 km. In our development studies, lidar sensor requirements are defined, a system to meet those requirements is defined and built, and the concept is evaluated, with recommendations for the most feasible and cost-effective lidar system for use as an input to a guidance and control system for missile or spacecraft launches. The ability of CLAWS to meet NASA goals for increased safety and launch/mission flexibility is evaluated in a field test program at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in which we investigate maximum detection range, refractive turbulence, and aerosol backscattering efficiency. The Nd:YAG coherent lidar operating at 1.06 µm with 1-J energy per pulse is able to make real-time measurements of the three-dimensional wind field at KSC to an altitude of 26 km, in good agreement with our performance simulations. It also shows the height and thickness of the volcanic layer caused by the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines.

Shipborne Wind Measurement and Motion-induced Error Correction of a Coherent Doppler Lidar over the Yellow Sea in 2014

“…There are a number of studies on the turbulent fluxes measurement over the sea surface. Various motion sensing techniques on the moving platform have been developed in the field of airborne (Axford, 1968), spaceborne (Hawley et al, 1993), and shipborne observations (Fujitani, 1992;Song et al, 1996;Edson et al, 1998;Miller et al, 2008;Tucker et al, 2009). Many shipborne field experiments have been widely carried out over Pacific Ocean (Mitsuta and Fujitani, 1974;Bradley et al, 1991;Shao, 1995;Tsukamoto et al, 1995;Tucker et al, 2009).…”

Shipborne Wind Measurement and Motion-induced Error Correction by Coherent Doppler Lidar over Yellow Sea in 2014

“…There are many studies on the turbulent fluxes measurement over the sea surface (Axford, 1968;Mitsuta et al, 1974;Bradley et al, 1991;Fujitani, 1992;Hawley et al, 1993;Shao, 1995;Tsukamoto et al, 1995;Song et al, 1996;Edson et al, 1998;Miller et Atmos. Meas.…”

Signal to Noise Ratio Characterization of Coherent Doppler Lidar Backscattered Signals

“…Much effort has been put into 2 µm pulsed systems mainly intended for wind measurements [2] [3]. Hawley et al [4] developed a 1.06 µm pulsed CDL system for wind sensing. Karlsson et al [5] reported a 1.5 µm cw all-fiber wind sensing CDL system.…”