A highly reliable single mode laser for space application

A compact, passively q-switched, single mode laser has been developed for space based lidar applications. The Nd:YAG laser produces 50mJ pulse-energy at 100 Hz repetition rate in a near diffraction limited beam with more than 99.99% of the pulses in a single longitudinal mode. This laser was initially developed as a candidate for the ICESat-2 mission, which requires five years continuous operation in space. The laser is based on two newly developed technologies, Etalon Coupled High Output (ECHO) oscillator and Ring Amplified Solid State Laser (RASSL). In this paper, we will present the laser design and discuss the laser performance and experimental results. We will also present a unique laser package concept.