In what setting is terrestrial LIDAR primarily utilized?

Terrestrial LIDAR is primarily utilized on the ground or in stationary locations because it is specifically designed to capture high-resolution 3D data of the Earth's surface and objects within its vicinity. This method involves using laser scanning technologies to measure distances to various points on the ground, which allows for the creation of precise topographical maps and models.

This capability makes terrestrial LIDAR ideal for applications such as urban planning, landscape architecture, forestry management, and archaeological documentation, where the sensors are usually set up on tripods or vehicles to capture detailed information from a fixed position. In contrast, the other settings mentioned—underwater mapping, aircraft, and outer space—require different techniques and equipment suited for those environments, making them less compatible with the terrestrial LIDAR technology's operational setup and application focus.