Large aperture high accuracy satellite laser trackingA satellite laser ranging station has been established in order to range both low and high earth-orbiting satellites with a few-mm accuracy; this entails precision pointing of a 15-ton, azimuth-elevation-mounted coude telescope. Because tracking is performed under open loop computer control with no feedback from laser returns, the initial acquisition data and the algorithms for orbit computation must be accurate enough to maintain the satellite within the narrow laser beam width. The system is currently being used to track the LAGEOS and STARLETTE satellites.
Document ID
19870055535
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mcgarry, Jan L. F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Zagwodzki, Thomas W. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Degnan, John J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1987
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking