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J. Degnan and Y. Fumin

Title of Paper Principal Author
Time Transfer by Laser Link T2l2 M. Ravet
Time Transfer by Laser Pulses between Ground Stations Y. Fumin
SLR2000C: An Autonomous Satellite Laser Ranging and Space-To-Ground Optical Communications Facility J. Degnan
Technical Concept for a European Laser Altimeter for Planetary Exploration U. Schreiber

Laser Altimeter For Planetary Exploration

I. Prochazka
Scientific Applications of Planetary Laser Altimeter Radiometry M. Zuber
  • Laser Time Transfer (2 papers)
    • CNES T2L2 Experiment
      • Myriade Microsatellite, 800 km orbit, 10 Kg, 40 W
      • aluminum-coated 100 mm reflector, n = 1.8, wide FOV (120o)
      • Geiger APD, 3 psec timer, accuracy <100 psec, stability 1ps over 1000 sec
      • Simulated link between ground sites
    • Shanghai Observatory
      • Simulated 250 m link between two terminals equipped with hydrogen masers
      • RMS of mean clock difference = 24.1 psec for a 100s interval
      • Laser vs direct comparison results comparable
  • Laser Communications (1 paper)
    • NASA /GSFC SLR2000C system
      • Combines sub-cm ranging, 10 Gbps downlink, 10 Mbps uplink
      • lasercom/ranging highly synergistic
      • lasercom adds $500K to $700K to baseline SLR2000 cost
      • 12 stations provide complete LAGEOS coverage and >99.9% station availability with lasercom intersatellite links
      • 25 stations would support geosynchronous “bent pipe” architectures plus deep space missions with > 99% availability
      • 4 geosynchronous plus 4 polar satellites provide 100% global communications; single 10 cm retro adequate for geo ranging link
  • Laser Altimetry of Planets (3 papers)
    • Laser Altimeter for Planetary Exploration (LAPE)
      • German Instrument on Bepi-Colombo Mercury Mission
      • 1 m accuracy from 300 to 1000 km altitudes (goal 1200 km)
      • Power: < 30 W (goal 25W)
      • Mass: <8.5 Kg (goal 7 Kg); 15 cm receive aperture
      • photon-counting approach
      • Czech Technical University performing independent analyses and developing key components (e.g. detector)
    • Active/Passive Radiometry
      • Radiance measurements by the MOLA altimeter detector provide additional science beyond topography, e.g. intrinsic brightness of Martian surface, changes in polar ice caps (CO2)

 

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