Laser telemetry

[shahina]

Laser telemetry

Laser telemetry is a technique used to determine the distance between an observer on the ground and a laser retroreflector placed on a satellite or on the surface of the Moon.

 A typical station comprises a powerful impulse laser that sends a beam to the target, a telescope to collect the reflected light and a time measuring device that allow to get the two-way duration. CERGA runs three such stations located on the plateau de Calern : the Lunar laser ranging station , the satellite laser ranging station and the ultra-mobile satellite laser station  which all have the capability to range with a centimeter accuracy.