High Precision Lunar Tracking For Laser Ranging

Randall L. Ricklefs; Jerry R. Wiant; Peter J. Shelus

doi:10.1117/12.977990

26 September 1989 High Precision Lunar Tracking For Laser Ranging

Randall L. Ricklefs, Jerry R. Wiant, Peter J. Shelus

Proceedings Volume 1111, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing III; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.977990
Event: SPIE 1989 Technical Symposium on Aerospace Sensing, 1989, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Laser ranging to lunar surface retro-reflectors has provided a valuable source of data for the investigation of the lunar orbit, the earth's orientation in space, general relativity, and many other aspects of solar system dynamics.1,2,3 Due to the moon's relatively large distance, and the requirement to keep the beam from the relatively low-power laser very narrow, acquiring this data type requires very accurate telescope pointing and tracking capabilities. The nominal requirement is to keep the telescope on target within approximately 1 arc-sec of its predicted location for at least several minutes. An expansion of this requirement and the methods we have used to accomplish this high precision pointing are presented. Difficulties encountered and a few future goals of automating the McDonald station are also discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Randall L. Ricklefs, Jerry R. Wiant, and Peter J. Shelus "High Precision Lunar Tracking For Laser Ranging", Proc. SPIE 1111, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing III, (26 September 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.977990

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