A New ER-2 Lidar System and Implications for Doppler Lidar Simulation

Abstract

A new high-altitude remote sensing lidar is nearing completion at NASA-Goddard. The lidar will replace the existing Cloud Lidar System and will provide measurements of cloud and aerosol parameters at 1064, 532, and 355 nm. It is anticipated that the aerosol backscatter data from this instrument will be highly valuable for producing spaceborne simulations of Doppler lidar systems. Such simulations are possible, as has been previously demonstrated using data from the old Cloud Lidar System. The new lidar will allow improved simulation capability, particularly at 355 nm, which is a primary candidate wavelength for spaceborne Doppler systems. Descriptions of the new lidar will be shown, the science capabilities will be described, and the potential impact on future spaceborne simulations will be discussed.