The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) Laser Transmitter

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), launched in January 2003, is a laser altimeter and lidar for the Earth Observing System's (EOS) ICESat mission. GLAS accommodates three, sequentially operated, diode-pumped, solid-state, Nd:YAG laser transmitters. The laser transmitter requirements, design, and qualification test results for this space-based remote-sensing instrument is summarized and presented.