Satellite and retroreflector atmospheric spectroscopy system

摘要

A method and apparatus for obtaining atmospheric spectroscopy measurements from an observation platform using retroreflectors is disclosed. The observation platform is located above the surface of a planetary body, and at least one retroreflector is located on the surface of the planetary body. Electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source that is incident upon the retroreflector is reflected to a spectrometer located on the observation platform. By analyzing the received radiation, the spectrometer obtains atmospheric spectroscopy measurements for the atmospheric region through which the incident and reflected radiation pass.