NASA’s CASALS Instrument Bridges Gaps in 3D Maps of Earth’s Surface
Explore This Section Overview Technology Programs Technology Highlights Workshops and Events Publications From orbit, today’s space-based laser instruments measure Earth’s forests and terrain one narrow line at a time. Between those lines are enormous gaps that include millions of acres of land scientists never directly measure. NASA’s CASALS instrument will blend machine learning with an ultra-compact lidar instrument to adaptively ‘sweep’ large swaths of Earth’s surface. This new capability for space-based remote sensors allows CASALS to create truly three-dimensional (3D) topographical renderings. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Video from a CASALS flight over the Great Cypress Swamp in Delaware on Nov. 12, 2024, showing tree canopy tops in green, the ground in purple, and near-ground vegetation in blue. Credit: NASA A team of researchers at NASA’s Goddard Space F...
