A laser radar projection system is provided. The system includes a laser projector that projects a light beam. A beam splitter is arranged to receive the light beam from the projector and divides the light beam into a signal light beam and a reference light beam. A steering system changes the direction of the signal light beam and scans the light beam over at least a portion of the surface. An optical signal detector is arranged to receive a feedback light beam and the reference light beam. The optical signal detector generates a feedback signal in response to the feedback light beam and a reference signal in response to the reference light beam. One or more processors determine the distance to one or more points on the at least a portion of the surface based at least in part on the feedback signal and the reference signal.