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The Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) of the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) is designed to measure the composition, struc- ture, and variability of the upper atmosphere of Mars. The NGIMS complements two other instrument packages on the MAVEN spacecraft designed to characterize the neutral upper atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars and the solar wind input to this region of the atmo- sphere. The combined measurement set is designed to quantify atmosphere escape rates and provide input to models of the evolution of the martian atmosphere. The NGIMS is designed to measure both surface reactive and inert neutral species and ambient ions along the space- craft track over the 125-500 km altitude region utilizing a dual ion source and a quadrupole analyzer.

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), launched in January 2003, is a laser altimeter and lidar for the Earth Observing System's (EOS) ICESat mission. GLAS accommodates three, sequentially operated, diode-pumped, solid-state, Nd:YAG laser transmitters. The laser transmitter requirements, design, and qualification test results for this space-based remote-sensing instrument is summarized and presented.

Over the last two decades NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has developed several laser systems for space application. The aging behavior of a laser system varies depending on the complexity of the system and the technologies used. One limitation of reliability models trying to predict system performance has been the lack of test data. Extended testing is an effective way to determine the reliability, and long term stability of laser systems. In this paper the results from extended testing of two laser system are presented. One system has been operating for over two and a half billion shots in air while the second system has accumulated half a billion shots while operating in a vacuum environment.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has been engaging in Earth and planetary science instruments development for many years. With stunning topographic details of the Mars surface to Earth's surface maps and ice sheets dynamics of recent years, NASA GSFC has provided vast amount of scientific data products that gave detailed insights into Earth's and planetary sciences. In this paper we will review the past and present of space-qualified laser programs at GSFC and offer insights into future laser based science instrumentations.

Summary from only given. We have completed the manufacture, space-qualification and delivery of three flight, diode pumped solid-state lasers for the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), the sole instrument for the ICESat (ice, cloud and land elevation satellite) mission scheduled to launch in early 2002.