LOLA works by propagating a single laser pulse through a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) that splits it into five beams.

These beams then strike and are backscattered from the lunar surface. From return pulse the LOLA electronics determines the time of flight which, correcting for the speed of light, provides a precise measurement of range. LOLA will also measure the spreading of the return pulse (surface roughness) and the change in the transmitted compared to the return energy of the pulse (surface reflectance). With its two-dimensional spot pattern, LOLA unambiguously determines slopes along and across the orbit track.

Image Above : LOLA Projection surface

Image Above : LOLA Schematic