NASA GEDI Mission (Pronounced Jedi) Will Use Laser to Study Earth’s Forests

The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) will launch on a resupply mission for the International Space Station in late 2018. It “will be the first space-borne laser instrument to measure the structure of Earth's tropical and temperate forests in high resolution and three dimensions,” according to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/LK Ward

[xxAnaconta]

A powerful laser orbiting earth that can strike at any location it desires? The emperor would be proud.

[randomcat]

Somebody took the star wars pun too seriously

[KilgoreTrout-vouy]

Gedi means something else entirely to my North Indian ears lmao

[MattJohno]

You literally re-uploaded NASA's video.

[Durrpadil]

I wish these kinds of statements would be backed by a long-term purpose rather than just a short-term assessment. For example, "NASA will formulate a mission dubbed 'GEDI' which is designed to analyze the properties of Earthbound forests. These test could later be conducted to formulate scans of exoplanets to further disseminate the possibility of life in a forest-like surface if detected appropriately." I see a lot of titles such as this, but there really is no explanation as to why these projects are conducted. I get that the laser will study existing life. But I am the type that needs to see the big picture. There would be no reason to create a laser that studies forests that already exist. The value is in what we do not yet know exists. Anyway, rant over... perhaps it is deliberate on NASA's end to not reveal those long-term goals. However, I think its' safe to assume it is necessary to scope out exoplanets to ensure our survival or understanding of it beyond our own Solar System.

[Doc-Holliday]

Unless you're telling us that "global" should be pronounced "jlobal" this program is not pronounced Jedi.