Compact and lightweight space-qualifiable LIDAR transmitter

A compact, lightweight, laser transmitter using space-qualified heritage oscillator from the currently on-orbit ICESat-2 transmitter was built and tested. The Nd:YVO₄ oscillator’s cavity length was reduced by 30% compared with ICESat-2 transmitter and achieved an intermediate 1064 nm energy of ~180 μJ. Final 532 nm output performance after external cavity frequency doubling and beam shaping showed pulse energies <80 μJ and pulse widths < 1 ns. The system was engineered and packaged for an overall dimension of 5.4” L × 3.1” W × 4.1” H and a total mass <1.5 kg. The laser housing and optics were hermetically sealed for contamination control to reduce laser damage and improve reliability. Environmental testing was done, and this packaging design is intended for future space-qualified operation.