Leaders In Lidar | Chapter : 2 Go Back To Mars

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Leaders in Lidar
Released Thursday, January 19th, 2023
Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 11:43AM
Visualizations by:
Ryan Fitzgibbons
Written by:
Ryan Fitzgibbons
Edited by:
Ryan Fitzgibbons
Scientific consulting by:
Ryan Fitzgibbons,
James Garvin, and
Thomas A. Neumann
Interviewees:
Bryan Blair,
David E. Smith,
James Abshire,
Jan McGarry,
Jay Zwally,
Ralph Dubayah,
Scott Luthcke,
Thomas A. Neumann, and
Xiaoli Sun
View full credits
In this series, we dive into the legacy of Goddard's lead role in developing laser altimetry, which has revolutionized the way we map our planet, the Moon and other planets. Each chapter looks at the successes and failures of these lidar instruments, beginning with the Mars Observer Laser Altimeter in the late 1980s, through the current generation of laser altimeters on ICESat-2 and GEDI. Through dozens of interviews and archival footage, the history, challenges and legacy of lidar are uncovered.
Leaders in Lidar series teaser in standard format.

Music: "The Archives," Universal Production Music.

Complete transcript available.

Chapter 1: The Laser Is Better

The scientists and engineers at Goddard Space Flight Center embark on a new technological and scientific journey, building and sending a laser altimeter to Mars with the MOLA-1 Instrument.

Music: "Fragment," "Chasing Lights," "Charming Noise," "Steady Pace," "The Cage," "Taking It All In," "The Archives," "Intriguing Coincidence," "Everyday Stories," Universal Production Music

Complete transcript available.

Video Descriptive Text available.

Note on footage used: 00:03-00:09 provided by pond5.

Chapter 2: Go Back to Mars

After the devastating loss of Mars Observer, the Goddard team mourns and regroups to build a second MOLA instrument for the Mars Global Surveyor mission. But before they send their laser altimeter to Mars, the team seizes an opportunity to test it on the Space Shuttle.