ELSA
ELSA (Exploration Lidar Sensor Assembly) is a next‑generation, high‑performance lidar sensor engineered for harsh environments and long‑range, multi‑capability missions.
ELSA in action
Recent flight tests have demonstrated strong real‑time mapping and altimetry performance, with continued maturation underway for future deployments.
Flight test proven
Helicopter testing in December 2023 validated real‑time mapping and high‑altitude altimetry.
Lessons learned are being incorporated into upcoming firmware and electronics updates.
Additional flight tests are planned to further mature system performance.
ELSA components have heritage or flight‑qualified equivalents, supporting a clear path to future mission readiness.
Core sensor technology
Single‑photon sensitive 256‑channel photomultiplier tube (PMT)
Radiation‑hard design, robust against cumulative dose effects
Extensive PMT spaceflight heritage
Hybrid detection mode: single‑photon + programmable linear‑mode threshold
Ultra‑low background noise below 1 km—eliminating multi‑pulse statistical processing
Multi‑shot and multi‑pixel accumulation enabling altimetry beyond 100 km
Advanced readout and processing
Custom radiation‑hard multi‑channel ASIC based on nuclear accelerator technology
FPGA-based electronics for high speed data processing
Optical and laser system
5 cm aperture
100 µJ, 16 kHz, 532 nm active Q‑switch laser
Space‑qualified (TRL‑9) two‑axis fast steering mirror (FSM) with spiral scanning
Performance specifications
