Laser altimeter for investigation of the Martian surface relief onboard the aerostate balloon in the Mars-94 project
Abstract
The laser altimeter system to be installed in the Mars-94-project aerostate balloon gondola, designed for the measurements of the Martian surface relief and for determining the aerostate drift height is described. The altimeter system includes a miniature laser, an objective with associated optics, a photoreceiver equipped with a device for measuring time intervals, and an interface for data and command exchange with the microprocessor aboard the aerostate balloon. The preliminary model tests indicate that the distance-measurement accuracy of this system can reach about 1.5 m within a distance range of 5-500 m.
- Publication:
-
Dresden International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990dres.iafcR....A
- Keywords:
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- Balloon-Borne Instruments;
- Laser Altimeters;
- Mars Surface;
- Energy Consumption;
- Flight Tests;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Weight Reduction;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation