Application of space lidar to the remote sensing of clouds and aerosols

Clouds and aerosols have important influences on the climate and remote sensing from space is required to assess their effects on a global scale. Current capabilities to observe clouds and aerosols using passive satellite sensors are limited, however. The Lidar In-space Technology Experiment, flown on the space shuttle in September 1994, demonstrated the application of space lidar to the study of clouds and aerosols. Lidar technology has now matured to a point where satellite lidars are feasible. Space lidar will provide new measurement capabilities and provide improved detection and characterization of the role of aerosol and cloud in global climate.