Development and applications of airborne and spaceborne lidar systems at DLR

Abstract

The Lidar department of Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) develops ground-based, airborne and space-borne lidar systems and applies them for active remote sensing of key meteorological parameters and atmospheric trace gases to facilitate research in weather and climate as well as in air traffic safety. With their renowned lidar systems, the department takes part in national and international airborne field campaigns dedicated to atmospheric and climate research and contributes to the investigation of the atmosphere from the ground up to the lower thermosphere. In this talk, examples will be given on the development and application of lidar systems with some emphasis on the measurement of water vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide and methane. During the recent CoMet airborne field campaign the greenhouse gas lidar CHARM-F was deployed. Such activities are important for the preparation of the validation activities for the upcoming MERLIN satellite mission.