AAS 95-329

Orbital Analysis of LidarSat for Synergistic Measurements With the Earth Observing System (EOS) Satellite

E. F. Harrison, B. A. Wielicki, G. G. Gibson and F. M. Denn, Lockheed Engineering and Science Co., Hampton, VA

Abstract

A satellite orbital mission has been designed to measure cloud vertical structure and aerosols to complement EOS satellite observations. A nadir-viewing lidar satellite in a 490-km altitude, near Sun-synchronous inclination orbit provides coincident viewing opportunities with the EOS-AM instruments over the globe for at least 2 years. The unique orbital design eliminates the need for lidar instrument scanning capability. The slow relative precession between the two satellite orbits allows coverage of the complete range of viewing zenith angles during the mission for both forward- and back-scattering conditions.