A compact, passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been developed for the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) instrument which is an instrument on the MESSENGER mission to the planet Mercury. The laser achieves 5.4 percent efficiency with a near diffraction limited beam. It has passed all space flight environmental tests at system, instrument, and satellite integration. The laser design draws on a heritage of previous laser altimetry missions, specifically ISESAT and Mars Global Surveyor; but incorporates thermal management features unique to the requirements of an orbit of the planet Mercury.


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    Title :

    Compact, Passively Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser for the MESSENGER Mission to the Planet Mercury


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2004-01-01


    Type of media :

    Preprint


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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