In-flight test of a continuous laser remote sensing system

An airborne laser system for remote sensing has been developed and tested at flight altitudes from 500 to 1200 m. The system is based on two continuous-wave CO₂ lasers (output 3 W), tunable to different wavelengths, and detects the laser radiation scattered back from earth by heterodyne reception. The feasibility of the heterodyne reception technique under aircraft environment conditions was demonstrated, and man-made SF₆ clouds and different types of uncovered minerals were traced. The data obtained indicate that the measuring range of the system can be increased to satellite distance by using a larger telescope and a more powerful laser and by reducing the electrical bandwidth. The word was supported by the German Ministry of Science and Technology, represented by DFVLR-BPT under contract number 01 TL 026-AK/RT/WRT 2074.