Analysis of data on ranging of the ocean surface with the BALKAN Lidar

Refined data of spaceborne sensing of the Earth's surface with the BALKAN lidar in the spring of 1996 are presented. The lidar operated in the mode of orientation of the orbital coordinate system (calculated) (OCSC), in which the lidar optical axis was oriented near the nadir. Measured, D-m(t), and calculated, D-c(t), distances of the ocean surface are compared for sensing sessions examined In each session the difference Delta D(t) = D-m(t) - D-c(t) had different signs and slopes with respect to the zero line, different systematic biases, and weak oscillations. With consideration of telemetry report on the oscillations of the axes of the fixed station coordinate system about the reference orbital coordinate system, several possible reasons for the oscillations of the difference Delta D(t) are analyzed. In addition to the oscillations of the axes of the fixed station coordinate system, the effect of wind-driven ocean waves is evaluated.