Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous


Instruments
MSI NIS NLR XGRS MAG RS

NEAR Laser Rangefinder = NLR


NLR Science Team
Data

NLR fact sheet (52K PDF)
APL Tech Digest (514K PDF)
The laser rangefinder (NLR) is a direct-detection single-pulse rangefinder. It uses a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser transmitter, supplied by McDonnell Douglas, at a wavelength of 1.06 µm (1060 nm). The laser delivers a 15 mJ pulse of 12 ns duration. It has a maximum divergence of 300 mrad at the instrument's maximum range of 50 km. The resolution measured in test is better than 0.5 m. Repetition rates are selectable among 1/8 Hz, 1 Hz, 2 Hz, and 8 Hz (for a 2-second burst). An internal fiber optic calibration path is used for inflight calibration. The laser rangefinder is boresighted with the MSI.

  Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous