Abstract: In order to expand the application of ground scattering signal for Doppler lidar in space, the characteristics of ground return in intensity, elevation and velocity are analyzed by using the flight data of several airborne Doppler lidars. The backscattering ratio of ground to the upper atmosphere can be used to reflect equivalently the ground reflectance properties,the comparison of ground elevation derived from lidar signal and digital elevation model shows a good consistency, with a mean deviation below 20 m and a standard deviation below 100 m; the dopper information of ground return can also be used for the plane speed correction, and the results shows a good consistency to the platform data results, with a standard deviation below 1.5m/s for direct detection system and 0.5 m/s for coherent detection system. The feasibility of velocity correction using ground return is verified. Besides these, a new method for the discrimination of cloud and ground return in a way of elevation comparison is proposed and analyzed.