Title: Advancing Coherent-Detection 2-Micron Doppler Wind Lidar Technology towards Space Qualification
Presenting Author: Michael J. Kavaya
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center
Co-Author(s):

Abstract:
The 2017 NRC Decadal Survey once again called for the global measurement of wind; including it in 14 Priority Targeted Observables; and uniquely listing it in both the Explorer Mission and Incubation categories. The 35 Most Important Science and Applications Questions included questions from the Weather Panel about planetary boundary layer and convective processes, and weather prediction. The Weather Panel stated global winds would be a transformative new measurement. One of the most promising sensors to deliver global winds is the pulsed, 2-micron, coherent-detection, Doppler lidar technology; which utilizes backscattered light from airborne aerosols moving with the wind. The lidar technology's strengths include eye safety at any range, equal day/night operation, excellent horizontal and vertical resolution, very accurate wind estimates, and additional science products such as wind turbulence profiles. These features derive from several aspects of the technology that will be discussed. NASA Langley has developed an airborne lidar called the Doppler Aerosol WiNd (DAWN) lidar. DAWN successfully performed in the 2017 NASA CPEX airborne science campaign; providing new unique curtains of horizontal vector wind, frequently profiling from as high as 10 km to the surface with as little as 1 sec integration at each of 5 azimuth angles. ESTO has initiated a new program to advance this wind lidar technology from current aircraft TRL 9 towards the goal of space qualification. The program will develop and demonstrate coherent lidar technology functions, for the first time, that are needed for space operation, but not for aircraft. It will also develop and demonstrate an advanced, rugged, compact coherent lidar transceiver, containing the pulsed and CW lasers, small optics, and the detector/receiver. We will describe the motivation, goals, and status of this program.