Method for Ground-to-Satellite Laser Calibration System

A method of calibrating an optical sensor on board a satellite, the method comprising:

• utilizing at least one ground-based laser to generate a first light signal having a first wavelength, and a second light signal having a second wavelength that is not equal to the first wavelength;
• pointing the optical sensor at the one ground-based laser;
• aiming the light signal at the satellite whereby at least a portion of the light signal is incident on an optical sensor on the satellite;
• measuring the response of the optical sensor to the light signal;
• utilizing a difference between the response of the optical sensor to the first and second wavelengths to calibrate the optical sensor.

A method of calibrating an optical sensor on board a satellite, the method comprising:

• utilizing at least one ground-based laser to generate a first light signal having a first wavelength, and a second light signal having a second wavelength that is not equal to the first wavelength;
• pointing the optical sensor at the one ground-based laser;
• aiming the first and second light signals at the satellite whereby at least a portion of the first and second light signals are incident on an optical sensor on the satellite, and wherein an atmospheric transmittance level comprises about 80-100% in the optical window wavelength range, a turbulence level comprises less than or equal to about 10−13, and a solar zenith angle comprises at least about 100 degrees;
• measuring the response of the optical sensor to the first and second light signals;
• utilizing a difference between the response of the optical sensor to the first and second light signals to calibrate the optical sensor;
• and
• applying atmospheric correction to improve the accuracy of the optical sensor.