On December 5, 2018 the GEDI lidar instrument lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida and made its way towards the International Space Station. The instrument — which uses laser pulses to measure distances and map 3D structure — is expected to capture at least 10 billion cloud-free samples over its two-year lifespan, as it hurtles around the Earth at 17,150 miles per hour.
GEODE lab members share their experiences being part of the GEDI science team, and their excitement about how GEDI will revolutionize research on biodiversity and forest carbon in a new NAU News article.