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McDonald: General information
McDonald
Jump to: Photo, Contact, Coordinates, News, Links
McDonald Contact:
| Agency | MLRS/ McDonald Observatory |
| Mailing Address | 9 Lunar Cir McDonald Obs TX 79734, USA |
| Primary Contact | |
| Contact Name | Jerry Wiant |
| Telephone (primary) | (432) 426-3668 |
| Telephone (secondary) | (432) 426-3263 |
| Fax | NA |
| jerryrw@utexas.edu | |
| Secondary Contact | |
| Contact Name | |
| Telephone (primary) | |
| Telephone (secondary) | |
| Fax | |
McDonald Coordinates:
Approximate Position:
| X coordinate | [m] | -1330021.0 |
| Y coordinate | [m] | -5328401.8 |
| Z coordinate | [m] | 3236480.7 |
| Latitude | [deg] | 30.6802 N |
| Longitude | [deg] | 255.9848 E |
| Elevation | [m] | 2006.2210 |
| Survey Method | ||
| Date Measured | ||
| Additional Information | ||
McDonald News:
Local Events:
| Date | 2019-09-12 00 |
| Event | Lightning strikes |
| Additional Information | Lightning disabled several MLRS subsystems. This marks the permanent end of MLRS operations. |
SLRMail Messages:
No SLRMail mesages found.McDonald Link:
McDonald: Site Log
Instructions and Update Site Log
You can use the hyperlinks to quickly get to the section of interest or you can scroll down to read them all.
Section: 0. Form
Section: 1. Identification of the Ranging System Reference Point (SRP)
Section: 2. Site Location Information
Section: 3. General System Information
Section: 4. Telescope Information
Section: 5. Laser System Information
Section: 6. Receiver System
Section: 7. Tracking Capabilities
Section: 8. Calibration
Section: 9. Time and Frequency Standards
Section: 10. Preprocessing Information
Section: 11. Aircraft Detection
Section: 12. Meteorological Instrumentation
Section: 13. Local Ties, Eccentricities, and Collocation Information
Section: 14. Local Events Possibly Affecting Computed Position
Section: 15. On-Site, Point of Contact Agency Information
Section: 16. Responsible Agency (if different from 15.)
Section: 17. More Information
ILRS Site and System Information Form
International Laser Ranging Service
0. Form
Prepared by (Full Name) : Randall L. Ricklefs
Preparer E-mail : ricklefs@csr.utexas.edu
Date Prepared : 2019-01-09
Report Type : UPDATE
Site Log Format Version : 2.0
Site Log Revision :
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1. Identification of the Ranging System Reference Point (SRP)
Site Name : McDonald Observatory / Mt. Fowlkes
IERS DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Pad ID : 7080
Subnetwork : NASA
Description : MONUMENT
Monument Description : Standard Brass Disk
Monument Inscription : 7080 1988 NASA GSFC Greenbelt, MD
Mark Description : punched dimple
Date Installed : 1988-01-01
Date Removed :
Geologic Characteristic : Tertiary igneous rocks
Additional Information : Tertiary igneous rocks predominately
: found on the surface. The influence of
: topography on soil formation is
: pronounced. Due to extensive erosion,
: the soils of hills and mountains are
: shallow, whereas the soils of valleys
: and plains are deep.
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2. Site Location Information
City or Town : McDonald Observatory (near Fort Davis)
State or Province : Texas
Country : USA
Tectonic Plate : North American
Local Time (UTC +/- hours) : -5
Approximate Position
X coordinate [m]: -1330021.0
Y coordinate [m]: -5328401.8
Z coordinate [m]: 3236480.7
Latitude [deg]: 30.6802 N
Longitude [deg]: 255.9848 E
Elevation [m]: 2006.2210
Survey Method :
Date Measured :
Additional Information :
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3. General System Information
3.01 System Name : McDonald Laser Ranging System (MLRS)
4-Character Code : MDOL
CDP System Number : 24
CDP Occupation Number : 19
Eccentricity to SRP (if Not Identical With SRP)
North [m]: -0.004 +- 0.002
East [m]: -0.005 +- 0.002
Up [m]: 1.756 +- 0.002
Date Measured : 1988-02-10
Date Installed : 1988-02-10
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
3.02 System Name : McDonald Laser Ranging System (MLRS)
4-Character Code : MDOL
CDP System Number : 24
CDP Occupation Number : 19
Eccentricity to SRP (if Not Identical With SRP)
North [m]: -0.003 +- 0.002
East [m]: -0.006 +- 0.002
Up [m]: 1.763 +- 0.002
Date Measured : 1993-01-29
Date Installed : 1988-02-10
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
3.03 System Name : McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS)
4-Character Code : MDOL
CDP System Number : 24
CDP Occupation Number : 19
Eccentricity to SRP (if Not Identical With SRP)
North [m]: -0.003 +- 0.002
East [m]: -0.006 +- 0.002
Up [m]: 1.763 +- 0.002
Date Measured : 1993-01-29
Date Installed : 1988-02-10
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
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4. Telescope Information
4.01 Receiving Telescope Type : Coude
Aperture [m]: 0.75
Mount : XY
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Xmitting Telescope Type : Coude
Aperture [m]: 0.75
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Tracking Camera Type : TV
Model : WV-1550
Manufacturer : Panasonic
Field of View [deg]: 0.025
Minimum Magnitude [mag]: 7
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Transmit/Receive Path : COMMON COUDE
Transmit/Receive Switch : ROTATING MIRROR
Max Slew Rate Az [deg/s]: 3
Max Slew Rate El [deg/s]: 3
Max Used Tracking Rate Az : 0.5416
Max Used Tracking Rate El : 0.5416
Telescope Shelter : hinged, motorized hood
Daylight Filter Type : Spectral filter
Dayl. Filt. Bandwidth [nm]: 0.3 - 0.10
Adjustable Attenuation : none
Adjustable Field of View :
Transmit Efficiency : 0.53
Receive Efficiency : 0.38
Date Installed : 1981-08-03
Date Removed : 2015-07-13
Additional Information : X and y slew rates reported as AZ, EL,
: respectively. Telescope xmit and
: receive efficiencies were not measured.
: None
: None
: None
4.02 Receiving Telescope Type : Coude
Aperture [m]: 0.75
Mount : XY
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Xmitting Telescope Type : Coude
Aperture [m]: 0.75
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Tracking Camera Type : TV
Model : WV-1550
Manufacturer : Panasonic
Field of View [deg]: 0.025
Minimum Magnitude [mag]: 7
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Transmit/Receive Path : COMMON COUDE
Transmit/Receive Switch : ROTATING MIRROR
Max Slew Rate Az [deg/s]: 3
Max Slew Rate El [deg/s]: 3
Max Used Tracking Rate Az : 0.5416
Max Used Tracking Rate El : 0.5416
Telescope Shelter : hinged, motorized hood
Daylight Filter Type : Spectral filter
Dayl. Filt. Bandwidth [nm]: 0.3 - 0.10
Adjustable Attenuation : none
Adjustable Field of View :
Transmit Efficiency : 0.53
Receive Efficiency : 0.38
Date Installed : 2015-07-13
Date Removed :
Additional Information : X and y slew rates reported as AZ, EL,
: respectively. Telescope xmit and
: receive efficiencies were not measured.
: 2 tracking cameras: normal and faint object
: Daylight filter: 0.3, 0.6, 0.10
: Xmit efficiency: < 0.53
: Xcv eficiency: < 0.38
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5. Laser System Information
5.01 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Model :
Manufacturer :
Number of Amplifiers : 2
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 1064
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: N.A.
Secondary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]: 1500
Xmit Energy Adjustable : YES
Additional Information :
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 200
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 10
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 20
Theoretical Beam Div :
Measured Beam Div :
Method Used :
Additional Information :
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 0.75
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Polarization on Exit :
Laser Fire Control :
Laser Energy Monitor :
Start Diode Type :
Manufactorer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Rise/Fall Time [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
Date Installed : 1985-02-01
Date Removed : 2003-08-05
Additional Information : divergence is adjustable
5.02 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Model :
Manufacturer :
Number of Amplifiers : 2
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 1064
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: N.A.
Secondary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]: 1500
Xmit Energy Adjustable : YES
Additional Information :
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 200
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 10
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 0 - 20
Theoretical Beam Div :
Measured Beam Div :
Method Used :
Additional Information :
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 0.75
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Polarization on Exit :
Laser Fire Control :
Laser Energy Monitor :
Start Diode Type :
Manufactorer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Rise/Fall Time [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
Date Installed : 2003-08-05
Date Removed : 2010-11-05
Additional Information : divergence is adjustable.
: Pulse slicer converted from krytrons to
: avalanche diodes.
5.03 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Model :
Manufacturer :
Number of Amplifiers : 2
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 1064
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: N.A.
Secondary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]: 150
Xmit Energy Adjustable : YES
Additional Information :
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 200
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 10
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 0 - 20
Theoretical Beam Div :
Measured Beam Div :
Method Used :
Additional Information :
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 0.75
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Polarization on Exit :
Laser Fire Control :
Laser Energy Monitor :
Start Diode Type :
Manufactorer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Rise/Fall Time [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
Date Installed : 2011-11-05
Date Removed : 2015-07-13
Additional Information : Correction to previous entries. Energy
: shown is now energy/pulse, not /second.
: Note - laser average power is 1.5W.
5.04 Laser Type : ND:YAG
Model :
Manufacturer :
Number of Amplifiers : 1
Primary Wavelength [nm]: 1064
Primary Maximum Energy [mJ]: N.A.
Secondary Wavelength [nm]: 532
Secondary Max. Energy [mJ]: 80
Xmit Energy Adjustable : YES
Additional Information :
Pulse Width (FWHM) [ps]: 150
Max. Repetition Rate [Hz]: 10
Fullw. Beam Divergence ["]: 0.4 - 50
Theoretical Beam Div :
Measured Beam Div :
Method Used :
Additional Information :
Final Beam Diameter [m]: 0.75
Eyesafe : NO
Eyesafe Standard : ANSI 136.1
Polarization on Exit :
Laser Fire Control :
Laser Energy Monitor :
Start Diode Type :
Manufactorer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Rise/Fall Time [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
Date Installed : 2015-07-13
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Old laser upgraded to level of rest of NASA
: network lasers.
: Currently used at 80mJ and 10-50" beam
: divergence.
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6. Receiver System
6.01.01 Primary Chain
Wavelength [nm]: 532
Detector Type : MCP
Manufacturer : ITT
Model : F4129F
Quantum Efficiency [%]: 11
Nominal Gain : 1e6
Rise Time [ps]: 350
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]: 100
Field of View Diam ["]: 6 - 35
Date Installed : 1990-09-25
Date Removed :
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing : CFD
Manufacturer : Tennelec
Model : 454
Date Installed : 1986-10-26
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement : NO
Return-Rate Controlled: YES
Mode of Operation : SINGLE to multi photon
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. : EVENT
Manufacturer : EG&G
Model : TD811
Resolution [ps]: 25
Precision [ps]: 25
Date Installed : 1990-06-06
Date Removed :
Additional Information : The TD811, CMOS Clock, and Timer B
: are used in conjunction.
: Used primarily for artificial satellites
: FOV diameter: 6,10,12,20,35, selectable
: Resolution: 50 psec/channel, 4 channels
: gives 25 psec
:
6.02.01 Secondary Chain
Wavelength [nm]: 532
Detector Type : PMT
Manufacturer : Varian
Model : VPM152S.921
Quantum Efficiency [%]: 29
Nominal Gain : N.A.
Rise Time [ps]: N.A.
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]: N.A.
Field of View Diam ["]: 6 - 35
Date Installed : 1985-10-DD
Date Removed : 2007-05-26
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing : CFD
Manufacturer : Tennelec
Model : 454
Date Installed : 1986-10-26
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement : NO
Return-Rate Controlled: YES
Mode of Operation : SINGLE
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. : EVENT
Manufacturer : EG&G
Model : TD811
Resolution [ps]: 25
Precision [ps]: 25
Date Installed : 1990-06-06
Date Removed :
Additional Information : The TD811, CMOS Clock, and Timer B
: are used in conjunction. This chain
: used primarily for lunar and
: some high satellites. No longer functional.
: FOV: 6,10,12,20,35, selectable.
: Resolution: 50 psec/channel, 4 channels
: gives 25 psec
:
6.02.02 Secondary Chain
Wavelength [nm]: 532
Detector Type : PMT
Manufacturer : Hamamatsu
Model : R5916U-74 with Avantek amp UTC12-102M
Quantum Efficiency [%]: 29
Nominal Gain : N.A.
Rise Time [ps]: N.A.
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]: N.A.
Field of View Diam ["]: 6 - 35
Date Installed : 2007-05-26
Date Removed : 2013-12-14
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing : CFD
Manufacturer : Tennelec
Model : 454
Date Installed : 1986-10-26
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement : NO
Return-Rate Controlled: YES
Mode of Operation : SINGLE
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. : EVENT
Manufacturer : EG&G
Model : TD811
Resolution [ps]: 25
Precision [ps]: 25
Date Installed : 1990-06-06
Date Removed :
Additional Information : The TD811, CMOS Clock, and Timer B
: are used in conjunction. This chain
: used primarily for lunar and
: some high satellites. No longer functional.
: FOV: 6,10,12,20,35, selectable
: Resolution: 50 psec/channel, 4 channels
: gives 25 psec
6.03.01 Tertiary Chain
Wavelength [nm]:
Detector Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Quantum Efficiency [%]:
Nominal Gain :
Rise Time [ps]:
Jitter (Single PE)[ps]:
Field of View Diam ["]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Amplifier Type :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Gain :
Bandwidth :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information:
Signal Processing :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Amplitude Measurement :
Return-Rate Controlled:
Mode of Operation :
Additional Information:
Time of Flight Observ. :
Manufacturer :
Model :
Resolution [ps]:
Precision [ps]:
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
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7. Tracking Capabilities
7.01 Satellites
Very Low Alt (<400 km) : NO
Low Altitude (400-2000) : YES
LAGEOS/LARES : YES
GLONASS : YES
Etalon : YES
GNSS : YES
Geosynchronous : YES
Moon : YES
Ave. Pass Switch Time [s]: 2
Average values for LAGEOS
Single Shot RMS [mm]: 13
# of Obs per NP : 85
Use of Semi-trains : NO
# of Semi-train Tracks : N.A.
Range Gate Width [ns]: 50 - 20000
Beam Pointing Accuracy ["]: 10
Angle Encoder Resolution["]: 0.1 incremental; 0.6 absolute
Min. Tracking Elev. [deg]: 20
Laser Polarization @emitter: unknown
Operation
Months per Year : 12
Days per Week : 7
Hours per Day : 24
Staff per Shift : 1
System Shared With : nothing
Time Allocated to SLR [%]: 100
Remotely Controllable : NO
Tracking Restrictions
Go/No-go flag : YES
Satellite Verification : Ajisai
Date Verified :
Maximum elevation : YES
Satellite Verification : Ajisai
Date Verified :
Pass segments : YES
Satellite Verification : NONE
Date Verified :
Schedule segments : YES
Satellite Verification : LRO
Date Verified :
Maximum laser power limit: YES
Satellite Verification : LRO
Date Verified :
Date First Applicable : 1981-10-01 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable : 2015-08-31 HH:MM UT
Additional Information : incremental encoder used for servo system and
: lunar tracking; absolutes used for slr/stars
: Change to one-person crews, 24 hours a day,
: 7 days a week in April 1999.
: Down-sized to two one-person crews in March
: 2004.
: Min Tracking El: 20; higher in north
: due to van obstruction
: Power limit is manual, prompted
: by software
7.02 Satellites
Very Low Alt (<400 km) : NO
Low Altitude (400-2000) : YES
LAGEOS/LARES : YES
GLONASS : YES
Etalon : YES
GNSS : YES
Geosynchronous :
Moon : YES
Ave. Pass Switch Time [s]: 2
Average values for LAGEOS
Single Shot RMS [mm]: 13
# of Obs per NP : 85
Use of Semi-trains : NO
# of Semi-train Tracks : N.A.
Range Gate Width [ns]: 50 - 20000
Beam Pointing Accuracy ["]: 10
Angle Encoder Resolution["]: 0.1 incremental; 0.6 absolute
Min. Tracking Elev. [deg]: 20
Laser Polarization @emitter:
Operation
Months per Year : 12
Days per Week : 7
Hours per Day : 8 - 10
Staff per Shift : 1
System Shared With : nothing
Time Allocated to SLR [%]: 100
Remotely Controllable : NO
Tracking Restrictions
Go/No-go flag : YES
Satellite Verification : Ajisai
Date Verified :
Maximum elevation : YES
Satellite Verification : Ajisai
Date Verified :
Pass segments : YES
Satellite Verification : NONE
Date Verified :
Schedule segments : YES
Satellite Verification : LRO
Date Verified :
Maximum laser power limit: YES
Satellite Verification : LRO
Date Verified :
Date First Applicable : 1981-10-01 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable : 2015-08-31 HH:MM UT
Additional Information : Yoke incremental and absolute encoder
: replacedwith incremental tape encoder 2004.
: Down-sized to one shift September 2015.
: Lost lunar capability in 2013, due to
: failure of detector.
: Min tracking el: 20; higher in north
: due to van obstruction
: Power limit is manual, prompted
: by software
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8. Calibration
8.01 Calibration Type : REALTIME
Target Location : INTERNAL
Target Type : CORNER CUBE
Target Structure : telescope spider
Number of Targets :
Target Distance(s) [m]: 2.8608
Date Measured : 1990-01-01
Accuracy [mm]: 2mm
Verification : 1993 collocation
Return-Rate Controlled : YES
Eye-Safe Method :
Additional Information :
Mode of Operation : DON`T KNOW
Calibration performed : length of pass
Single Shot RMS [mm]: 8.5
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0 SIGMA
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0 SIGMA
Application of Cal Data : AVERAGE
Date Installed : 1990-04-04
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Mode of operation for the moon
: was single photon
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9. Time and Frequency Standards
9.01.01 Frequency Standard Type : QUARTZ
Model : 1210D-01
Manufacturer : Austron
Short Term Stab. [e-12]: 10
Long Term Stab. [e-12]: 10
Time Reference : GPS
Synchronization : manual
Epoch Accuracy [ns]: 100
Date Installed : 1997-08-26
Date Removed : 2009-07-02
Additional Information :
9.01.02 Frequency Standard Type : Cesium
Model : 4310
Manufacturer : Symmetricom
Short Term Stab. [e-12]: 10
Long Term Stab. [e-12]: 10
Time Reference : CESIUM
Synchronization : manual
Epoch Accuracy [ns]: 1
Date Installed : 2009-07-02
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Austron quartz is backup
9.02.01 GNSS Timing Rcvr Model : TAC
Manufacturer : Totally Accurate Clock
Date Installed : 1994-09-01
Date Removed : 2010-08-DD
Additional Information : Also have a second TAC
: installed 1999-04-01
9.02.02 GNSS Timing Rcvr Model : CNSC01
Manufacturer : CNS
Date Installed : 2010-08-DD
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Old TAC reinstalled after repair (January
: 2011), but was very removed after it failed
: again (also during January).
: Also have second CNSC01 as backup
9.03.01 One-way System Calibration
Date performed :
Direction Calibrated :
Additional Information :
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10. Preprocessing Information
10.01 On-site NP Generation : YES
Data Screening : IRV/lunar ephemeris+POLYNOMIAL
Return-Rate Rejection :
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0
Upload interval : HOURLY
Date First Applicable : 1991-04-10 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable : 2005-04-18 00:00 UT
Additional Information :
10.02 On-site NP Generation : YES
Data Screening : CPF/lunar ephemeris+POLYNOMIAL
Return-Rate Rejection :
Edit Criterion 1st Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0
Edit Criterion 2nd Chain : ITERATIVE 3.0
Upload interval : HOURLY
Date First Applicable : 2005-04-18 00:00 UT
Date Last Applicable :
Additional Information :
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11. Aircraft Detection
11.01 Detection Type : RADAR
Manufacturer/Provider :
Automatic Laser Shutoff :
Alarms Recorded :
Hazard Distance [km]:
Date Installed : 1999-03-27
Date Removed : 2016-07-13
Additional Information :
11.02 Detection Type : RADAR
Manufacturer/Provider :
Automatic Laser Shutoff :
Alarms Recorded :
Hazard Distance [km]:
Date Installed : 2016-07-13
Date Removed :
Additional Information : Replacement unit installed.
: Requires periodic measurements to
: targets to verify system functionality.
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12. Meteorological Instrumentation
12.01.01 Pressure Sensor Model : 270
Manufacturer : Setra
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [mbar]: 0.3
Height Diff to SRP [m]: 0
Distance from SRP [m]:
Date Installed : 1991-07-01 HH:MM UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Additional Information :
12.01.02 Pressure Sensor Model : Met3
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [mbar]: 0.1
Height Diff to SRP [m]: 0
Distance from SRP [m]:
Date Installed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2012-06-16 21:00 UT
Additional Information :
12.01.03 Pressure Sensor Model : Met4
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [mbar]: 0.1
Height Diff to SRP [m]: 0
Distance from SRP [m]:
Date Installed : 2012-06-16 21:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
12.02.01 Temp Sensor Model : HX93c
Manufacturer : Omega
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [deg C]: 1
Date Installed : 1996-03-27 00:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Additional Information :
12.02.02 Temp Sensor Model : Met3
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [deg C]: 0.5
Date Installed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2012-06-16 21:00 UT
Additional Information :
12.02.03 Temp Sensor Model : Met4
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [deg C]: 0.5
Date Installed : 2012-06-16 21:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
12.03.01 Humidity Sensor Model : HX93c
Manufacturer : Omega
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [% rel h]: 2.0
Date Installed : 1996-03-27 00:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.03.02 Humidity Sensor Model : Met3
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [% rel h]: 2.0
Date Installed : 2003-05-16 20:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed : 2012-06-16 21:00 UT
Additional Information : (multiple lines)
12.03.03 Humidity Sensor Model : Met4
Manufacturer : Paroscientific
Recording Interval : four times per hour
Accuracy [% rel h]: 2.0
Date Installed : 2012-06-16 21:00 UT
Calibration Interval : as needed
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
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13. Local Ties, Eccentricities, and Collocation Information
13.01 Collocated Permanent Geodetic Systems
13.01.01.01 GNSS : IGS
Date Installed : 1993-06-01
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.01.02 GNSS : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.02.01 DORIS : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.03.01 PRARE : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.01.04.01 VLBI : YES
Date Installed : 1988-11-DD
Date Removed :
Additional Info : (multiple lines)
: Harvard dish was in place when MLRS was
: built. Replaced by VLA dish sometime later
: (mid 1980`s?).
: Collocation with NASA mobile VLBI
: station MV-4, started 1988-11
13.01.05.01 Gravimeter : NO
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info : Gravimeter visit to McDonald 2.7m in
: 1970s
13.01.06.01 Other SLR :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Info :
13.02.01.01 Local Ties from the SRP to Other Monuments or Systems on Site
Monument Name :
Instrumentation Type :
Instrumentation Status :
DOMES Number :
CDP Number :
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]:
dy [m]:
dz [m]:
Date Measured :
Determined by :
Date Installed :
Date Removed :
Additional Information :
13.03.01.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : GPS Mark 4011-S
DOMES Number : 40442M012
CDP Number :
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 22.3961 +- 0.001
dy [m]: 8.4818 +- 0.001
dz [m]: 23.4043 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 2013-02-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : Tubro Rogue antenna platform
13.03.02.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : VLBA antenna reference point
DOMES Number : 40442S017
CDP Number : 7613
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 6011.9422 +- 0.010
dy [m]: -3780.0988 +- 0.012
dz [m]: -4518.3196 +- 0.010
Date Measured : 2013-02-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : No value on record for installation
13.03.03.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : 85-foot VLBI ref. point (HRAS 085)
DOMES Number : 40442S003
CDP Number : 7216
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 5810.066 +- 0.010
dy [m]: -3621.343 +- 0.012
dz [m]: -4362.423 +- 0.010
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information :
13.03.04.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : Mobile VLBI and SLR Mark 7850 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M008
CDP Number : 7850
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 12.8749 +- 0.001
dy [m]: 10.2780 +- 0.001
dz [m]: 21.9217 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 2013-02-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information :
13.03.05.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : SLR Mark 7851
DOMES Number : 40442M011
CDP Number : 7851
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 11.5993 +- 0.001
dy [m]: 10.8975 +- 0.001
dz [m]: 22.4327 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 2013-02-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information :
13.03.06.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : LLR McDonald 2
DOMES Number : 40442S002
CDP Number : 7206
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: -760.232 +- 0.003
dy [m]: -353.791 +- 0.007
dz [m]: -783.181 +- 0.005
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information :
13.03.07.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : MLRS, McDonald, TLRS-1 standard NASA disk
DOMES Number : 40442M001
CDP Number : 7086
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: -104.329 +- 0.001
dy [m]: -124.770 +- 0.001
dz [m]: -330.563 +- 0.001
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : DOMES 40442M001 and 40222M005
: refer to the same marker
: CDP number 7086 and 7885
: also refer to the same marker
13.03.08.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : Mobile VLBI mark (Harvard RM 5 1977)
DOMES Number : 40442M009
CDP Number : 7900
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: 5793.092 +- 0.010
dy [m]: -3661.249 +- 0.012
dz [m]: -4457.763 +- 0.010
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information :
13.03.09.01 Eccentricities Between Other Monuments on Site
From: Monument Name : MLRS Mark 7080 1988
DOMES Number : 40442M006
CDP Number : 7080
To: Monument Name : SLR Mark 7897
DOMES Number : 40442M010
CDP Number : 7897
Differential Components (ITRS)
dx [m]: -779.689 +- 0.003
dy [m]: -322.840 +- 0.007
dz [m]: -776.535 +- 0.005
Date Measured : 1999-06-01
Determined by : ATSC
Additional Information : NAIL IN PAVEMENT, used
: for TLRS-1
Back to top
14. Local Events Possibly Affecting Computed Position
14.01 Date : 2019-09-12 00:00 UT
Event : Lightning strikes
Additional Information : Lightning disabled several MLRS subsystems.
: This marks the permanent end of MLRS
: operations.
Back to top
15. On-Site, Point of Contact Agency Information
Agency : MLRS/ McDonald Observatory
Mailing Address : 9 Lunar Cir
: McDonald Obs
: TX 79734, USA
Website :
Primary Contact
Contact Name : Jerry Wiant
Telephone (primary) : (432) 426-3668
Telephone (secondary) : (432) 426-3263
Fax : NA
E-mail : jerryrw@utexas.edu
Secondary Contact
Contact Name : Peter Shelus
Telephone (primary) : (512) 497-6250
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : pjs@csr.utexas.edu
Tertiary Contact
Contact Name :
Telephone (primary) :
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail :
Additional Information :
Back to top
16. Responsible Agency (if different from 15.)
Agency : NASA
Mailing Address : Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 61A
: 8800 Greenbelt Road
: Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA
Primary Contact
Contact Name : Rivers Lamb
Telephone (primary) : 301-286-1128
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : rivers.lamb@nasa.gov
Secondary Contact
Contact Name : Stephen Merkowitz
Telephone (primary) : 301-286-9412
Telephone (secondary) :
Fax :
E-mail : stephen.m.merkowitz@nasa.gov
Additional Information :
Back to top
17. More Information
URL for More Information : http://www.csr.utexas.edu/mlrs/mlrs.html
Hardcopy on File
Site Map : YES
Site Diagram : YES
Horizon Mask : YES
Monument Description : YES
Site Pictures : YES
Additional Information :
Back to top
McDonald: Meteorological data
| type | for the past year | since 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Temp. |  |
 |
Humid. |  |
 |
| Pres. |  |
 |
Note: For a larger view, please select a thumbnail.
McDonald: LAGEOS performance
| type | for the past year | since 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| RMS |  |
 |
| Cal RMS |  |
|
| Sys Dly |  |
 |
| Obs per Nrm Pt |
 |
 |
| Fullrate Obs per Pass |
no information | no information |
Note: For a larger view, please select a thumbnail.
McDonald: Satellite Information (as a function of local time and satellite range)
Click on a plot to view a larger image.
| site | local time | range | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| npt rms | numFR /npt | npt rms | numFR /npt |
|
| PN-1A 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| SpinSat 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| Swarm-A 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| Swarm-B 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| CHAMP 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| Lomonosov 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| Grace-A 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| Grace-B 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| TanDEM-X 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| TerraSAR-X 30 sec |
n/a | |||
| Swarm-C 5 sec |
n/a | |||
| KOMPSAT-5 5 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| TechnoSat 15 sec |
n/a | |||
| Larets 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Cryosat-2 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Envisat 15 sec |
n/a | |||
| SARAL 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Sentinel-3A 15i sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Starlette 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Stella 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| STSAT-2C 15 sec |
n/a | |||
| Beacon-C 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Geo-IK-2 30 sec |
n/a | |||
| HY-2A 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Jason-1 15 sec |
n/a | |||
| Jason-2 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Jason-3 15 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| TOPEX 15 sec |
n/a | |||
| LARES 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Ajisai 30 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| LAGEOS-2 120 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| LAGEOS-1 120 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Galileo-201 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Etalon-1 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Etalon-2 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-101 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-102 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-103 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-105 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-106 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-107 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-109 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-116 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-117 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-118 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-119 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-120 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-121 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-122 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| GLONASS-123 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-125 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-126 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-127 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-128 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-129 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-131 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-132 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-133 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-134 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-135 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| GLONASS-136 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-M3 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-MS1 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-MS2 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-207 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-101 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-102 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-103 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-104 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-202 300 sec |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Galileo-203 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-204 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-205 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-206 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-208 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-209 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-210 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-211 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-212 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-213 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| Galileo-214 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-I6B 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-IS1 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-IS2 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| IRNSS-1E 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| IRNSS-1F 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| QZS-1 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| QZS-2 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| QZS-3 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-I3 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-I5 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| COMPASS-G1 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| IRNSS-1A 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| IRNSS-1B 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| IRNSS-1C 300 sec |
n/a | |||
| IRNSS-1D 300 sec |
n/a | |||
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- Web Curator: Lori J. Tyahla
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- Last modified date: Feb 4, 2021
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