Spaceborne laser range and range rate finder

The design of a multiuse intersatellite laser range and range rate finder was investigated, and the expected performance of the instrumentation derived. Discussed are electrical and electro-optical design, signal and processing and electrical power distribution, structure and mechanical design, thermal control, an instrument performance analysis, test philosophy, and an instrument procurement plan. The instrument performs active acquisition and tracking of retro-reflective targets in a field of view of 2 deg X 2 deg, determines the range with a resolution of 0.01 m to 0.1 m, and gives the range rate with an accuracy of 10 micrometers/sec up to ranges of 250 km. For near field acquisition, 30 deg angular tracking is foreseen. The instrument incorporates four functional subunits. A CO2 laser superheterodyne transceiver for the range rate measurements, a laser diode range finder, a CCD acquistion and tracking unit, and a laser diode angular tracker.