Development of a 170-mm hollow corner cube retroreflector for the future lunar laser ranging

Over the past 50 years, lunar laser ranging has made great contributions to the understanding of the Earth–Moon system and the tests of general relativity. However, because of the lunar libration, the Apollo and Lunokhod corner-cube retroreflector（CCR） arrays placed on the Moon currently limit the ranging precision to a few centimeters for a single photon received. Therefore, it is necessary to deploy a new retroreflector with a single and large aperture to improve the ranging precision by at least one order of magnitude. Here we present a hollow retroreflector with a 170-mm aperture fabricated using hydroxide-catalysis bonding technology. The precisions of the two dihedral angles are achieved by the mirror processing with a sub-arc-second precision perpendicularity, and the remaining one is adjusted utilizing an auxiliary optical configuration including two autocollimators. The achieved precisions of the three dihedral angles are 0.10 arcsecond,0.30 arc-second, and 0.24 arc-second, indicating the 68.5% return signal intensity of ideal Apollo 11/14 based on the far field diffraction pattern simulation. We anticipate that this hollow CCR can be applied in the new generation of lunar laser ranging.

The use of laser ranging to measure space debris

Space debris is a major problem for all the nations that are currently active in space. Adopting high-precision measuring techniques will help produce a reliable and accurate catalog for space debris and collision avoidance. Laser ranging is a kind of real-time measuring technology with high precision for space debris observation. The first space-debris laser-ranging experiment in China was performed at the Shanghai Observatory in July 2008 with a ranging precision of about 60-80 cm. The experi- mental results showed that the return signals from the targets with a range of 900 km were quite strong, with a power of 40W （2J at 20 Hz） using a 10ns pulse width laser at 532 nm wavelength. The performance of the preliminary laser ranging system and the observed results in 2008 and 2010 are also introduced.

A correction method of encoder bias in satellite laser ranging system

In a satellite laser ranging telescope system, well-aligned encoders of the elevation and azimuth axes are essential for tracking objects. However, it is very difficult and time-consuming to correct the bias between the absolute-position indices of the encoders and the astronomical coordinates, especially in the absence of a finder scope for our system. To solve this problem, a method is presented based on the phenomenon that all stars move anti-clockwise around Polaris in the northern hemisphere. Tests of the proposed adjustment procedure in a satellite laser ranging （SLR）system demonstrated the effectiveness and the time saved by using the approach, which greatly facilitates the optimization of a trackin~ svstem.

Progress of the satellite laser ranging system TROS1000

The mobile satellite laser ranging system TROS1000, successfully developed in 2010, achieves a high repetition rate and enables daytime laser ranging. Its measurement range has reached up to 36000 km with an accuracy as precise as 1 cm. Using recent observations in Wuhan, Jiufeng, Xianning, and Rongcheng, Shandong, we introduce the progress made using this mobile observation system.

A Laser Ranging System Using Chaotic Light

A novel laser ranging system using chaotic laser as probe light source is designed and presented.The system is made up of five components:chaotic light source,transmitter,receiver,data acquisition unit and data processing unit.Chaotic light is generated by an 808 nm,500 mW,single-mode laser diode with optical feedback cavity.Single target detection and multi-target detection are experimentally realized by correlating the chaotic reference light and the reflected or backscattered probe light.The performances,including the resolution of 18 cm within at least 130 m range and the sensitivity of-20 dB,are achieved and analyzed.

Overview of Satellite Laser Ranging for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

Satellite laser ranging(SLR)is an unambiguous measurement technique and generates high accuracy satellite orbit data.All satellites in the BeiDou navigation satellite system(BDS)carried laser retro-reflector arrays(LRAs),so they can be tracked by ground SLR stations in order to provide the accurate observation data.The Shanghai astronomical observatory(SHAO)designed the LRAs,and also developed the dedicated SLR systems using a 1 m-aperture telescope and a transportable cabin-based SLR system with a telescopes of 60 cm aperture.These enable BDS satellite ranging during daytime and nighttime with centimeter-level precision,allowing highly accurate estimations of satellite orbits.Moreover,some of the BDS satellites are also equipped with laser time transfer(LTT)payloads,which were developed by the SHAO and China Academy of Space Technology(CAST),providing a highly accurate time comparison between the satellites and ground clocks.This paper describes the dedicated SLR system and the design of the LRAs for BDS satellites,as well as global SLR measurements.The SLR tracking data is used for evaluating the orbit accuracy of BDS satellites and broadcast ephemeris,with an accuracy of less than 1 m.The LTT measurements to BDS satellites for a single shot have a precision of approximately 300 picoseconds,with a time stability of 20 picoseconds in 500 s.

Detection probability for six laser range-finders of the rotating rocket

To analyze factors that affect the detection probability of six laser range-finders of rotating rocket,taking a missile as the target,the detection model was established according to a detection mechanism.Based on the model,the detection probability was calculated via Monte Carlo method under different conditions.With the calculation results,the relationship of detection probability with the rolling rate and the missile velocity was illustrated in figures,when the laser emitting frequency was 10 kHz,20 kHz,30 kHz respectively under the condition that rocket met the front of missile as well as the condition that rocket met the rear of missile.The figures show that the detection probability increases as laser emitting frequency increases or the rolling rate increases,while it decreases as the missile velocity increases.Detection probability is higher when rocket meets the front of missile than that when rocket meets the rear of missile.In order to maintain a track of approaching Mach 2 targets,rotation rate should be more than 100 r/s.

Laser back scatter: Limitation to higher repetition rate [kHz] Satellite Laser Ranging system

Satellite laser ranging(SLR)with higher repetition rate is the recent trend for its various advantages.Laser backscatter(coincidence between recently transmitted pulses and received pulses near the detector)is found to be a constraint for the repetition rates higher than 20 kHz,due to,overlapping with photons returning from a satellite with the present constellation of most of the SLR systems.Such an overlap occurs at every 75 km satellite distance change at 2 kHz repetition rate,and remains for about 7.5 km;for a 20 kHz system however,it will occur after every 7.5 km and remains for 7.5 km,resulting in constant backscatter overlap e leaving no chance to avoid it.The resulting noise is 5 times more than before causing a serious problem in detection and lowers the signal to noise ratio of the overall SLR system.However,decreasing energy per shot at higher repetition rates e assuming a constant power laser e the resulting backscatter may decrease fractionally.

Pre-process algorithm for satellite laser ranging data based on curve recognition from points cloud

The satellite laser ranging （SLR） data quality from the COMPASS was analyzed, and the difference between curve recognition in computer vision and pre-process of SLR data finally proposed a new algorithm for SLR was discussed data based on curve recognition from points cloud is proposed. The results obtained by the new algorithm are 85 % （or even higher） consistent with that of the screen displaying method, furthermore, the new method can process SLR data automatically, which makes it possible to be used in the development of the COMPASS navigation system.

RESEARCH ON LASER RANGE SCANNING AND ITS APPLICATION

In this paper the development of the technology of the laser scanning is summarized.The principles of laser range scanning are introduced.Based on the laser scanning technology and methods,which are investigated by the authors to survey deposit volume,a surveying system is developed and a practical application is performed.It is shown that the laser_scanning technology has obvious advantages such as measurement precision,automation and visualization of observed data in comparison with the traditional methods.As a result,labor intensity is relieved obviously and work efficiency is promoted.

Design and Research of Active Heave Compensation System Based on Laser Ranging Sensor

Marine resource exploitation and marine cargo transportation were increasingly frequent. Due to the impact of the marine environment, ships or platforms were affected. In this paper, a servo electric cylinder was used as a wave compensation actuator to design a wave compensation system. The laser sensor was used to measure the displacement in the direction of the heave platform, and the obtained displacement was applied to the wave compensation in the heave direction to verify the feasibility of the compensation system.

The progress of laser ranging technology at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory

As an important station of International Laser Ranging Service(ILRS),Shanghai Astronomical Observatory(SHAO)has upgraded Satellite Laser Ranging(SLR)system with high repetition rate and achieved some technological progress,There are a lot of improvements for overall system performance,such as annual observation passes,measurement precision and quality of observation data.SLR technology with repetition rate of 10 kHz is accomplished firstly in China,and space debris laser ranging technology with200 Hz laser is promoted and proved to be more detective for weak echo,which lead to successful measurement for 40,000 km satellites and space debris within 3000 km.At the same time,SLR based on multi-telescopes and 1064 nm wavelength are planned to make a breakthrough of detection capabilities,and also to expand its application fields.These progresses will be introduced in this paper in detail.

Studies of Tectonic Motion from Helwan-Satellite Laser Ranging Station

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a proven space geodetic technique with significant potential for important contributions to scientific studies of tectonic motion. Currently, SLR is the most accurate available technique to determine the geocentric position with a reported precision in the order of few millimeters. Data gathered through SLR together with “Short Arc” mathematical algorithm became a highly precise tool to detect, monitor and calculate recent crustal movements through repeated measurements of the baselines between some stations on different tectonic plates. In this paper, the Short Arc mathematical model introduced in a previous paper was used to calculate the length of the baseline between Helwan-SLR station and other four fixed SLR stations, placed on different plates. Application of this model with the data gathered through a 4 year time interval gave repeatable results with very high accuracy (in the order of 4 cm).

Review of the development of Lunar Laser Ranging

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Lunar Laser Ranging(LLR),covering key components such as ground observatories,lunar retro-reflectors,and data formats.The paper details the evolution of LLR experiments conducted by some major world-class observatories,with a particular focus on addressing critical issues associated with LLR technology.Additionally,the article highlights the latest advancements in the field,elucidating scientific achievements derived from LLR data,including its contributions to gravitational theory,Earth Orientation Parameters,lunar physics exploration,and lunar librations.The review summarizes new challenges in LLR modeling and concludes with prospects for the future development of LLR.

Determination of global geodetic parameters using satellite laser ranging to Galileo,GLONASS,and BeiDou satellites

The new Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)satellites,including GLONASS,Galileo,and BeiDou system,are equipped with Laser Retroreflector Arrays(LRA)to support Satellite Laser Ranging(SLR)tracking,which contributes to the estimation of global geodetic parameters.In this study,we estimate the global geodetic parameters using the SLR observations to GNSS satellites and also investigate the effects of different data processing strategies on the estimated Earth Rotation Parameters(ERP),geocenter motion,and terrestrial scale.The results indicate that setting range bias parameters for each satellite-station pair can effectively account for the satellite-specific biases induced by LRAs,leading to smaller Root Mean Square Errors(RMSE)of the post-fit SLR residuals.Furthermore,estimating the range biases for each satellite-station pair improves the accuracy of the estimated station coordinates and ERP.We also examine the impact of different arc lengths on the estimates of ERP,geocenter motion,and terrestrial scale.The results show that extending arc length can significantly reduce the formal error of ERP.The 7-day strategy produces the smallest RMSEs of 473 microarcseconds and 495 microarcseconds for the estimated X-and Y-component of pole coordinates,and 52 microseconds for length-of-day,respectively.However,the estimated geocenter motion is less affected by the arc length,even the shortest 1-day arc strategy can capture the seasonal variations of geocenter motion in Z component.For scale estimation,extending the arc length notably improves the accuracy of the estimated station coordinates and scale,but this advantage becomes less noticeable in longer arcs.The 7-day solution also obtains the closet scale results compared to ITRF2014,with the RMSE of 2.10×10^(–9).

Design and observations of satellite laser ranging system for daylight tracking at Shanghai Observatory

The first satellite laser ranging system for daylight tracking in China was set up at Shanghai Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Both false alarm probability due to strong background noises and detection probability of the laser returns with single photon level from satellite in daylight for our system are analysed. The system design and performance characteristics of subsystems, adopted techniques and satellite ranging observations are given.

Theoretical analysis and numerical solution of laser pulse transformation for satellite laser ranging

The processes of the pulse transformation in satellite laser ranging (SLR) are analyzed,the analytical expressions of the transformation are deduced,and the effects of the transformation on Center-of-Mass corrections of satellite and ranging precision are discussed.The numerical solution of the transformation and its effects are also given.The results reveal the rules of pulse transformation affected by different kinds of factors.These are significant for designing the SLR system with millimeter accuracy.

Dynamic time-correlated single-photon counting laser ranging

We demonstrate a photon counting laser ranging experiment with a four-channel single-photon detector(SPD). The multi-channel SPD improve the counting rate more than 4×10~7 cps, which makes possible for the distance measurement performed even in daylight. However, the time-correlated single-photon counting(TCSPC) technique cannot distill the signal easily while the fast moving targets are submersed in the strong background. We propose a dynamic TCSPC method for fast moving targets measurement by varying coincidence window in real time. In the experiment, we prove that targets with velocity of 5 km/s can be detected according to the method, while the echo rate is 20% with the background counts of more than 1.2×10~7 cps.

Real-time suppression of random phase drift for laser ranging with high-frequency intermode beats

Laser ranging with frequency comb intermode beats[IMBs]has been suffering from random phase drifts[RPDs]for two decades.In this study,we reveal the influence of signal transmission path on the RPDs and propose a real-time suppression method using two IMBs of similar frequencies from different combs.As the two IMBs obtain similar RPDs during their transmission through same signal paths,the RPD of the original probing signal IMB is suppressed by deducting the RPD of the newly added local IMB in real time.In our experiments,a real-time suppression of RPDs is achieved using IMBs of 1001 and 1000 MHz.For the sampling time of 100 s,the effect of 19-fold suppression has been achieved.The proposed method provides a new solution for the long-standing phase drift problem in laser ranging with comb IMBs.

3D Laser Imaging Reconstruction of Scenes Using New Photometric Gaussian Beam Range Equation

In this article the problem of three-dimensional （3-D） reconstruction of scenes from terrestrial laser rangefinder data is processed, we present the simulations results of radiometric range function of the laser range finder imaging system for better optimization of maximum range detection with a given SNR （Signal-to-noise ratio）. The study proposes a new reformulation of the radiometric Gaussian beam range equation on the basis of the photodetector active area. The adjustment of the optical and geometrical characteristics of the laser range finder so defined can be used to minimize the signal span to avoid the saturation of the detector cell and improve the ranging measurements （accuracy and range） for a 3D imaging application.