Earth-satellite-earth laser long-path absorption experiment using the retroreflector in space (RIS) on the advanced earth observing satellite (ADEOS)

This paper reports the results of the laser long-path absorption experiments carried out with the Retroreflector in Space (RIS) on the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS). The RIS is a 0.5 m diameter single-element hollow retroreflector with a unique optical design which uses a curved mirror surface to correct velocity aberrations caused by the satellite movement. In the RIS experiments a laser beam was transmitted from a ground station, reflected by the RIS, and received back at the ground station. The absorption of the intervening atmosphere was measured in the round-trip optical path. After the launch of the ADEOS in August 1996, the optical characteristics of the RIS were tested, and it was confirmed that the RIS worked well in orbit. The spectroscopic measurement was carried out with the single-longitudinal-mode TEA CO₂ lasers by means of the method utilizing the Doppler shift of the reflected beam caused by the movement of the satellite. The spectrum of ozone was successfully measured in the 10μm region, and the measurement of the column contents of ozone was validated with the simultaneous heterodyne spectrometer measurement. In June 1997, however, the experiment with the RIS was discontinued due to the malfunction of the ADEOS solar paddle.