LACE
Low-power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment

The Low-power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment was part of a dual payload with RME carrying laser defense experiments. LACE was built by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to act as a target for ground lasers to investigate atmospheric distortion and compensation methods. The low-power lasers were beamed from the Air Force Maui Optical Station (AMOS) and received by on-board IR and phased detectors. A laser locked onto a reflector mounted on a 46 meter boom to acquire the satellite. The sensor array returned data on the laser coverage, allowing laser's adaptive optics to be adjusted, compensating for atmospheric distortion. The payload included ABE, the Army Background Experiment, an instrument which monitored background levels of neutron radiation in order to be able to discriminate between warheads and decoys. LACE also carried the Ultraviolet Plume Intrument (UPI) to track rocket plumes.

Spacecraft
Gravity gradient stabilized with no attitude control thrusters.

Payload
LACE carried visible, IR and phased laser sensors. They were on booms and panels extending from the 1.4 x 1.4 x 2.4 meter main body. In total, there were 210 laser sensors. The Ultraviolet Plume Intrument (UPI) used two CCD cameras.

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	SDIO
Manufacturer(s)	Naval Research Laboratory
Size	1.4 x 1.4 x 2.4 meters
Orbit	531x550 km, incl.=43.1 deg
Design Life	2 years
Related Sites	Applied Coherent Technology Corp. AMOS

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
LACE	1990-015A	2/14/90	ESMC	Delta 6920-8	LEO	1430
Low-power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment for SDIO