High-Accuracy Range Measurements To The Moon

Eric C. Silverberg

doi:10.1117/12.955142

18 January 1977 High-Accuracy Range Measurements To The Moon

Eric C. Silverberg

Proceedings Volume 0094, High Speed Optical Techniques: Developments and Applications; (1977) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955142
Event: 20th Annual Technical Symposium, 1976, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The lunar ranging station at the University of Texas McDonald Observatory has made more than 1800 range measurements to the four lunar retroreflectors during the first six years of its operation. Each range consists of a normal point constructed of from 5 to 20 single photoelectron returns. Normal point accuracies to about 4 parts in 10¹⁰ (± 10 cms) have become routine. The availability of excellent commercial timing equipment, similar to that used for nuclear time-of-flight experiments, means that the error budget for such a measurement is primarily dependent on the width of the transmitted laser pulse (currently 3 nanoseconds FWHM). Second generation systems using mode-locked, subnanosTRond lasers can probably achieve routine normal point accuracies approaching one part in 10 (± 2 cms). High speed pockel cells, capable of slicing sharp edges on relatively long laser pulses, may permit such accuracies to also be realized with conventional Q-switched lasers.

Citation Download Citation

Eric C. Silverberg "High-Accuracy Range Measurements To The Moon", Proc. SPIE 0094, High Speed Optical Techniques: Developments and Applications, (18 January 1977); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955142

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
6 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Pulsed laser operation

Telescopes

Electronics

Ranging

Sensors

Observatories

Cameras

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years