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Instrument

SIMPL
Slope Imaging Multi-polarization Photon-counting Lidar

The Slope Imaging Multi-polarization Photon-counting Lidar (SIMPL) is an airborne, multi-beam, single photon ranging lidar developed through the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) Instrument Incubator Program (IIP). It measures lidar scattering properties to determine topography, surface roughness, vegetation characteristics, and surface elevation, typically for cryospheric research. SIMPL consists of four beams operating in green (532 nm) and near-infrared (1064 nm) wavelengths. It has a laser footprint of 0.3 m with a cross-track spacing of 8 m for a nominal flight altitude of 3.7 km.

NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

Instrument Details

Lidar
Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography
Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Cryospheric Indicators > Glacial Measurements > Glacier Elevation/ice Sheet Elevation
Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Terrain Elevation
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Lidar > Lidar Backscatter
Earth Science > Oceans > Sea Ice > Ice Roughness
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Lidar > Lidar Depolarization Ratio
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation > Canopy Characteristics
Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation
Earth Science > Oceans > Sea Ice > Sea Ice Elevation
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Glaciers/ice Sheets > Glacier Thickness/ice Sheet Thickness
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Sea Ice > Ice Roughness
Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Surface Roughness
Full Column Profile, Land Surface
N/A
0.3 m
563.5 THz, 281.8 THz
Currently unavailble

  • David Harding

  • David Harding

  • NASA

  • NASA

  • Currently unavailable

    • Unpublished

Instrument Operation

Data Products