PlaneWave Instruments

Ground-based LIDAR for Launch Site and Test Ranges

Michigan Aerospace was funded by NOAA to demonstrate long-range wind LIDAR technology for future satellite missions to measure global tropospheric winds. Built around a PlaneWave 20″ telescope, Michigan Aerospace developed the High Altitude LIDAR Atmospheric Sensing (HALAS) System as a ground-based, UV LIDAR and Raman system for real-time, high-altitude measurement of wind velocity, direction, density, temperature, and composition – O2, N2, and H2O mass fractions. With an operating range of 0.6-50km+, HALAS is ideal for high-altitude vehicle testing, launch sites and test ranges. The directional pointing control and volumes of data produced are significantly beyond what is available with traditional balloon sondes. Part of our AeroForecast product line, HALAS provides the next generation of atmospheric intelligence and is available in a variety of portable and transportable solutions.