Laser rangefinder is an instrument that uses a parameter of modulated laser to measure the distance of the target. The measuring range of the laser rangefinder is 3.5~5000 meters. According to the ranging method, it can be divided into phase method ranging instrument and pulse method ranging instrument. Pulse type laser ranging instrument is to shoot a beam or a series of short pulse laser beams to the target when working, and the laser beam reflected by the target is received by the photoelectric element. The timer measures the time from the laser beam to the receiving, and calculates the distance from the observer to the target.

When the emitted laser beam power is sufficient, the measuring range can reach about 40 kilometers or even more, and the laser rangefinder can work day and night, but when there is a material with high laser absorption rate in space, its ranging distance and accuracy will decline. The laser rangefinder can also be used to track and range the satellite, measure the flight height of the aircraft, aim and range the target, and conduct topographic mapping and survey.