Geodesy Results Obtainable with Lunar Retroreflectors
Abstract
Retroreflector packages have been carried to the moon by the Apollo 11, Apollo 14, and Apollo 15 missions, as well as by Luna 17. Laser ranging from the earth onto these packages should eventually yield information on polar motions and crustal movements accurate to a few centimeters, and on UT1 to 100 μsec. Present (1971) error of the range measurements is 30 cm, but accuracy to 3 cm should be obtainable with improvements in methods and equipment.
- Publication:
-
The Use of Artificial Satellites for Geodesy
- Pub Date:
- 1972
- DOI:
- 10.1029/GM015p0261
- Bibcode:
- 1972GMS....15..261F