Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Macdonald, G. J. F..
The lunar laser ranging retroreflector (LRRR) experiments to define the motion of the moon in its orbit are described, and the properties of the LRRR arrays and ground-station operation are discussed. It is concluded that primary benchmarks on the lunar surface are provided by the Apollo 11 and 14 arrays, and the placement of the Apollo 15 reflector.
Retroreflector packages have been carried to the moon by the Apollo 11, Apollo 14, and Apollo 15 missions, as well as by Luna 17. Laser ranging from the earth onto these packages should eventually yield information on polar motions and crustal movements accurate to a few centimeters, and on UT1 to 100 microsec. Present (1971) error of the range measurements is 30 cm, but accuracy to 3 cm should be obtainable with improvements in methods and equipment.