Abstract: One example device comprises a plurality of emitters including at least a first emitter and a second emitter. The first emitter emits light that illuminates a first portion of a field-of-view (FOV) of the device. The second emitter emits light that illuminates a second portion of the FOV. The device also comprises a controller that obtains a scan of the FOV. The controller causes each emitter of the plurality of emitters to emit a respective light pulse during an emission time period associated with the scan. The controller causes the first emitter to emit a first-emitter light pulse at a first-emitter time offset from a start time of the emission time period. The controller causes the second emitter to emit a second-emitter light pulse at a second-emitter time offset from the start time of the emission time period.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for launching a capsule into a lower orbit in conjunction with the launch of a satellite into a higher energy orbit. The capsule is located in the launch vehicle so that, at burnout of the next-to-last stage of the launch vehicle, the altitude of velocity of the last stage capsule and satellite are sufficient to correspond to a desire orbit for said capsule. The capsule is released before ignition of the last stage during the ballistic phase of flight between the next-to-last stage and the last stage. After release of the capsule, the last stage is ignited permitting the satellite to be placed in the desired higher energy orbit. Particular preferred embodiments of the invention relates to slewing of the launched vehicle so as to release the capsule in predetermined directions apart from the launch direction so as to obtain a desired amount of separation between the capsule and the last stage prior to ignition of the last stage.