https://cdn.earthdata.nasa.gov/conduit/upload/5182/KeywordsCommunityGuide_Baseline_v1_SIGNED_FINAL.pdf 23.8 2026-04-29T10:52:37.449Z https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/instruments/7166c458-f935-4bd9-a322-d92830cf0c33 LIDAR Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is an active remote sensing systemthat can be operated in either a profiling or scanning mode usingpulses of light to illuminate the terrain. LIDAR data collectioninvolves mounting an airborne laser scanning system onboard anaircraft along with a kinematic Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver to locate an x and y position and an inertial navigationsystem to monitor the pitch and roll of the aircraft. By accuratelymeasuring the round trip travel time of the laser pulse from theaircraft to the ground, a highly accurate spot elevation can becalculated. Depending upon the altitude and speed of the aircraftalong with the laser repetition rate it is possible to obtain pointdensities that would likely take months to collect using traditionalground survey methods. Additional information availabel at 'http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/RESEARCH/RSD/main/lidar/lidar.html' [Summary provided by NOAA]