Abstract

The Phase I studies for the LAWS instrument were competitively bid and planned as a parallel effort between two prime contractors. The main purposes of the Phase I studies were to define the LAWS instrument requirements, define the instrument concepts and configurations, and conduct instrument performance analysis. The option to procede to Phase II as a parallel effort with the same contractors was to be exercised based on the recommendation of a Non-Advocacy Review (NAR) panel, which was composed of nationally recognized laser experts. The main purposes of the Phase II studies are for both contractors to optimize their instrument configuration via trades and analyses, perform a preliminary design based upon the optimized configuration, prepare a systems plan for the follow on Phase C/D contract, and define the tasks needed to complete Phase C/D effort. Phase C/D includes building the LAWS flight hardware, delivering and integrating the hardware at the launch area and developing the procedures for mission operations. In addition to the Phase II study effort, there is a parallel LAWS breadboard effort with both contractors to demonstrate the laser technology required for deriving wind fields and retiring as much risk as possible before building the flight hardware. The Phase C/D effort will be open to competitive bidding. LAWS was originally scheduled to fly on the Japanese Polar Orbiting Platform (JPOP) in 1998, but the agreement between Japan and the United States was never formalized and has since been dropped.

© 1991 Optical Society of America