Satellite laser ranging (SLR) and lunar laser ranging (LLR) to passive reflectors have been carried out successfully since 1964 and 1969, respectively. The single-ended SLR ranging technique, although capable of providing millimeter precision range data to satellites, is not practical over interplanetary ranges. Double-ended laser transponders for decimeter or better accuracy interplanetary ranging and subnanosecond time transfer are well within the state-of-the-art, however, as was recently demonstrated in two successful transponder experiments carried out by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to laser altimeters onboard the Messenger spacecraft (currently enroute to Mercury) and the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft (presently in Mars Orbit). A high-accuracy interplanetary ranging capability would support a number of new scientific investigations (e.g., solar system and planetary physics, general relativity, etc.) and enhance deep-space mission operations and reliability through vastly improved navigation accuracy and time synchronization with Earth mission control centers. The performance of future lunar or interplanetary laser transponder and laser communications instruments can be simulated and tested at distances to Pluto and beyond using existing passive SLR and LLR targets already in space.
Access provided by Autonomous University of Puebla. Download to read the full chapter text
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
References
J.J. Degnan: Satellite Laser Ranging: Current Status and Future Prospects, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, GE-23, 398 (1985).
J.J. Degnan: Millimeter Accuracy Satellite Laser Ranging: A Review, in Contributions of Space Geodesy to Geodynamics: Technology, D.E. Smith and D.L. Turcotte (Eds.), AGU Geodynamics Series 25, 133 (1993).
J.J. Degnan: Thirty Years of Satellite Laser Ranging, Proc. Ninth International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation, pp. 1-20, Canberra, Australia, November 7-11, 1994.
J.J. Degnan: Photon Counting Microlaser Rangers, Transponders, and Altimeters Surveys, in Geophysics, Special Issue on Evolving Geodesy 22, 431 (2001).
J.J. Degnan: Asynchronous Laser Transponders for Precise Interplanetary Ranging and Time Transfer, Journal of Geodynamics (Special Issue on Laser Altimetry), pp. 551-594, November, 2002.
J.O. Dickey, P.L. Bender, J.E. Faller, X.X. Newhall, R.L. Ricklefs, J.G. Ries, P.J. Shelus, C. Veillet, A.L. Whipple, J.R. Wiant, J.G. Williams, and C.F. Yoder: Lunar laser ranging: a continuing legacy of the Apollo Program, Science 265, 482 (1994).
T.W. Murphy Jr., J.D. Strasburg, C.W. Stubbs, E.G. Adelberger, L. Tom, A.E. Orin, E.L. Michelson, J. Battat, C.D. Hoyle, E. Swanson, and E. Williams: APOLLO: Meeting the Millimeter Goal, 14th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, San Fernando, Spain, June 7-11 (2004).
H.H. Plotkin, T.S. Johnson, P.L. Spadin, and J. Moye: Reflection of Ruby Laser Radiation from Explorer XXII, Proc. IEEE 53 301 (1965).
D.E. Smith, M.T. Zuber, X. Sun, G.A. Neumann, J.F. Cavanaugh, J.F. McGarry, and T.W. Zagwodzki: Two Way Laser Link over Interplanetary Distance, Science 311, 53 (2006).
X. Sun, G.A. Neumann, J.F. McGarry, T.W. Zagwodzki, J.F. Cavanaugh, J.J. Degnan, D.B. Coyle, D.R. Skillman, M.T. Zuber, and D.E. Smith: Laser Ranging between the Mercury Laser Altimeter and an Earth-based Laser Satellite Tracking Stationover a 24 Million Kilometer Distance, presented at OSA Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ, October 16-20, 2005.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Degnan, J.J. (2008). Laser Transponders for High-Accuracy Interplanetary Laser Ranging and Time Transfer. In: Dittus, H., Lammerzahl, C., Turyshev, S.G. (eds) Lasers, Clocks and Drag-Free Control. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 349. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34377-6_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34377-6_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-34376-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-34377-6
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)