This site was established for workshop organization, registration, and planning. The post-workshop website has transitioned to http://cddis.gsfc.nasa.gov/lw19/index.html where the full proceedings (including abstracts, presentations, and papers), summary, photos, and other information are now located. This plannig website remains available for historical purposes only.

NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

19th International Workshop on Laser Ranging

Celebrating 50 Years of SLR: Remembering the Past and Planning for the Future

Partner Program

A program for persons accompanying workshop attendees has been developed. Fees for the Tuesday and Thursday tours are due during meeting registration (Sunday October 26 and Monday October 27) and must be paid in cash. Those interested can sign up for any or all of the events.

Please remember that once you sign up for any of these tours, you are committing to it. Acceptance to the tours is limited to a certain number and is done on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tuesday October 28, 2014
George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Home and Plantation (Virginia)
Limit 25 people
Fee: $65.00 (includes bus and VIP two-hour tour; lunch not included)
09:15 meet in front of the Maryland Inn
09:30 Depart from the Maryland Inn by bus
10:30 Arrive at Mt. Vernon
11:00 VIP tour with guide
13:00 Lunch (We can dine in either the Food Court or The Mt. Vernon Inn Restaurant; both located on the grounds of the plantation)
15:00 Depart Mt. Vernon
16:00 Arrive at Annapolis

Mt. Vernon, the home and estate of the United States' first president from 1747 until his death in 1799, is perhaps one of America's greatest and revered historic treasures. The two-hour VIP tour, guided by one of the Mt. Vernon's expert docents, will take you through Washington’s neo-classical 21-room house, lovingly restored with all the original details that would have been in Washington's time. Next, we will visit the grounds of the estate that include magnificent gardens and outbuildings such as laundry facilities, blacksmithing shop, and kitchens. We will also see the slave quarters and take a short trip down to the working distillery and gristmill.

We will have lunch on the grounds of the plantation and then have some time to look around on our own and visit the gift shop. Remember the leaves start turning beautiful colors (reds, purples, yellows) in late October, so you will also have some incredible photo opportunities.


Wednesday October 29, 2014
Walking Tour of Annapolis Maryland
No Limit
Fee: No charge
Topic: The History and Architecture of Annapolis
Tour given by Mrs. Adele Degnan (wife of John Degnan)
9:45 Meet in front of the Maryland Inn and walk to the Visitor’s Center (5 mins.)
10:00AM Meet Mrs. Adele Degnan and begin tour
11:00 or 12:00 Return to Maryland Inn

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and once, for a short time, was the capital of the United States. The beautiful city was known as the "Athens of America" because of its cultured population and beautiful architecture. Today it is also know as the "Sailing Capital of the World." From its establishment in the 1600s to today, Annapolis has enjoyed historic fame and a rich cultural heritage. Besides the quaint harbor lined with yachts from all over the world, the beautiful Neo-classical and Georgian homes that line the city's small streets are a pleasure to look at.

The city is the home of the United States Naval Academy, the Maryland State House and the Governor's Mansion to just name a few attractions. Mrs. John Degnan, (wife of Dr. John Degan), a long-time resident of Annapolis has designed some of the best walking tours for the "Annapolis Amblers." She has graciously accepted the task of giving us a walking tour of this most fascinating city. The tour will take one hour but Mrs. Degnan has agreed to extend it to a fuller two hours for those wanting more!


Thursday October 30, 2014
Washington D.C. Memorials and Museum
Limit 25 people
Fee: $65.00 (includes bus; lunch not included)
Tour guided by workshop local organizing committee staff

09:30 Depart from the Maryland Inn by bus
10:30 Arrive in Washington D.C. and stop at selected sites
Stop #1 – Bus to White House (½ an hour for photos)
Stop #2 – Bus to Jefferson Memorial
Stop #3 – Walk to Franklyn D. Roosevelt Memorial
Stop #4 – Walk to Korean War Memorial and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial
Stop #5 – Walk to Lincoln Memorial with view of entire Mall and Washington Monument
Stop #6 – Walk to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
12:00 Lunch – TBD
13:00 Walk to Museum of American History
15:00 Depart museum by bus
16:00 Arrive at Annapolis

Our tour of some of the most iconic sites in our nation' capital will begin with a stop in front of the White House. Here we will stay for about ½ hour for photographs and a small presentation about the history. We will then move on to memorials such as The Lincoln Memorial (The Great Emancipator), with a stunning view of the National Mall, The Jefferson Memorial, the controversial but beautiful Vietnam Veteran's Memorial and a few others.

We will complete our tour with a short visit to the American History Museum where you will see amazing exhibits with some of the most interesting objects. You will see the flag that Francis Scott Key was looking at when he wrote the poem that became our national anthem; several emotional exhibits of the African Americans' struggle for their civil rights. You can also see Dorothy's red shoes that Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz! There are hundreds of thousands of items in this museum that record American history in the most unique way. Unfortunately we cannot see them all but we must not miss the exhibit of the gowns of 26 of our presidents' wives! We highly suggest that you do not miss our Washington DC tour.


For all tours we encourage you to wear comfortable clothing and especially comfortable shoes. Note that the weather in October can be chilly but it can also be extremely beautiful with clement temperatures. Please prepare to have a wardrobe that will accommodate warm, cool, or rainy weather.

Please indicate which partner events you will attend; your selection indicates you will pay upon workshop registration. Please send e-mail to Carey Noll (cc diana.khachadourian@nasa.gov) with the following information:

  • Workshop Attendee Name:
  • Partner Name:
  • Days of Selected Tours (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday):

Please contact Diana Khachadourian (diana.khachadourian@nasa.gov) if you have any questions about the partners program.