# Multi-footprint Observation Lidar and Imager (MOLI)
*sensor . products*

Full-waveform vegetation lidar planned for ISS JEM i-SEEP; 1064 nm, 2-beam, 150 Hz PRF, 25 m footprint, 50 m along-track spacing.

## Specifications
- **manufacturer**: jaxa
- **product status**: in-development
- **deployment context**: orbital
- **sensor**: {"instrument_family":"lidar","measurement_principle":"active","wavelength_nm":1064,"pulse_energy_mj":20,"pulse_repetition_freq_hz":150,"beam_count":2,"footprint_diameter_m":25,"along_track_spacing_m":50,"cross_track_spacing_m":50,"return_type":"full-waveform","notes":"Dual-beam; two parallel tracks 50 m apart; full-waveform return for 3D canopy structure; paired imager for vegetation index; ISS JEM IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform (i-SEEP); planned launch June 2027; Japan first space lidar."}
- **entity type**: sensor
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-02
- **verified by**: agency-doc
- **claim status**: agency-sourced
- **provider**: jaxa
- **attributes**: {"kind":"sensor","manufacturer":"jaxa","product_status":"in-development","deployment_context":"orbital","description":"Full-waveform vegetation lidar planned for ISS JEM i-SEEP; 1064 nm, 2-beam, 150 Hz PRF, 25 m footprint, 50 m along-track spacing.","sensor":"{\"instrument_family\":\"lidar\",\"measurement_principle\":\"active\",\"wavelength_nm\":1064,\"pulse_energy_mj\":20,\"pulse_repetition_freq_hz\":150,\"beam_count\":2,\"footprint_diameter_m\":25,\"along_track_spacing_m\":50,\"cross_track_spacing_m\":50,\"return_type\":\"full-waveform\",\"notes\":\"Dual-beam; two parallel tracks 50 m apart; full-waveform return for 3D canopy structure; paired imager for vegetation index; ISS JEM IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform (i-SEEP); planned launch June 2027; Japan first space lidar.\"}"}
- **technology**: lidar

## Editorial
The Multi-footprint Observation Lidar and Imager (MOLI) is a vegetation lidar instrument under development by JAXA, planned for installation on the International Space Station Japanese Experiment Module (ISS-JEM) via the IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform (i-SEEP). JAXA describes MOLI as Japan's first spaceborne lidar mission [^jaxa-moli-instrument]. A launch date of approximately June 2027 has been reported; as this instrument is pre-launch, specifications and schedule are subject to change [^wmo-oscar-moli] [^ceos-moli].

JAXA specifies that the planned configuration operates at 1064 nm and fields two parallel beams separated 50 m cross-track, firing at 150 pulses per second [^jaxa-moli-instrument] [^wmo-oscar-moli]. The planned footprint diameter is 25 m and along-track shot spacing 50 m; pulse energy is stated as 20 mJ [^jaxa-moli-instrument]. A co-aligned imager provides vegetation index data alongside the lidar return; JAXA describes this as enabling combined canopy structure and spectral characterisation from a single pass [^jaxa-moli-instrument]. The instrument is designed to record the time-resolved lidar return signal for three-dimensional canopy structure retrieval; specific digitiser architecture has not been confirmed in published technical specifications as of June 2026 [^wmo-oscar-moli] [^jaxa-moli-instrument].

The ISS orbit inclination of approximately 51.6 degrees limits coverage to latitudes between roughly 52 degrees north and south, excluding the high-latitude boreal forests accessible to the polar-orbiting ICESat series. Within its coverage zone MOLI targets tropical and temperate forest canopy height and structure in support of carbon stock assessment [^wmo-oscar-iss-moli].

**Supported methodologies**

| Methodology | Evidence class | Mission context |
|---|---|---|
| Spaceborne LiDAR Altimetry and Canopy Structure | Capable, pending review | Pre-launch [^wmo-oscar-moli] |

## Sources
- [wmo-oscar-moli] | MOLI Lidar Instrument Details, WMO OSCAR | https://space.oscar.wmo.int/instruments/view/moli_lidar | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-02
- [ceos-moli] | MOLI-on-ISS Mission Summary, CEOS EO Handbook | https://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=1384 | tier=community | accessed=2026-06-02
- [jaxa-moli-instrument] | MOLI Observation Sensor, JAXA Research and Development Directorate | https://www.kenkai.jaxa.jp/eng/research/moli/moli-instrument.html | tier=operator-marketing | accessed=2026-06-02
- [wmo-oscar-iss-moli] | ISS MOLI Satellite Record, WMO OSCAR | https://space.oscar.wmo.int/satellites/view/iss_moli | tier=agency-doc | accessed=2026-06-02

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Source: https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/moli
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