Calibration of 1064 nm channel of LITE and other uses of ocean surface returns

Lidar In-space Technology Experiment (LITE), the first NASA satellite-borne lidar will yield data on atmospheric aerosols and surface reflectance. The uses of the LITE surface returns have been stated in the literature. The authors determine the margin of error of the ocean surface return signal. The 1064 nm channel does not have a strong enough signal to enable calibration off the molecular atmosphere as does the 532 nm channel. The expected error is determined for calibration of the 1064 nm channel by taking the ratio of the 532 nm channel and the 1064 nm channel surface returns off the ocean. Reflection off water surfaces has been investigated by several authors to account for the various specular and diffuse components. These models are reviewed and implemented to investigate LITE detection of ocean surface state. The effects of errors introduced by the system and other unknown parameters are considered and used to determine the error inherent in calibrating the IR channel using this approach.< >