The Reflector microsatellite is a passive reflective spatial reference test object consisting of separate prism retroreflectors placed in reference points (nodes). The satellite was used for retroreflection of laser radiation coming from a ground-based laser radar to analyze and investigate the return signal structure for determination of spatial (angular) resolution, testing, and identification of spacecraft which may be defined as space debris. The Reflector microsatellite was launched as a piggyback payload on board of the Meteor-3M satellite.

Mission Instrumentation:

Reflector is a passive satellite who's onboard only instrumentation is a retroreflector array.

Mission Parameters:

Reflector Parameters
Sponsor:	ROSAVIACOSMOS, Science Research Institute for Precision Instrument Engineering (IPIE)
Expected Life:	9 months
Primary Applications:	space debris detection R&D
Primary SLR Applications:	retroreflector technology, POD
COSPAR ID:	0105604
SIC Code:	5556
NORAD SSC Code:	27004
Launch Date:	10 Dec 2001
RRA Diameter:	n/a
RRA Shape:	special
Reflectors:	32
Orbit:	circular
Inclination:	99.64 degrees
Eccentricity:	0.0008
Perigee:	1020 km
Period:	1045 minutes
Weight:	6 Kg

Additional Information:

Publications:

"Micro-satellite for calibration of active ground-based optical collectors" paper
Aoki T., Takabe, M., Hiromoto, N. and Itabe, T., "Development of Active Satellite Tracking System for RIS", Symposium on Western Pacific Satellite Laser Ranging Network, Proc. of the 9th International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, p. 801, 1994.
Schreiber, U., Riepl, S., Schlueter, W., and Schneider, M., "Measuring Atmospheric Dispersion Using the Reflector in Space (RIS)", Proc. of the 9th International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, p . 623, 1994.
Sugimoto, N., and Minato, A., "The Retroreflector in Space (RIS)-A New Facility for SLR", Proc. of the 9th International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, p 32, 1994.