Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Plotkin, H. H..
Two classes of laser communication systems for handling very high data rates across inter-satellite distances are considered that provide for high antenna gains, wide modulation bandwidths, and optical receiver sensitivities. System design considerations are based upon the carbon dioxide laser modulation to accommodate digital or analog information, and the neodymium doped YAG laser pulse for digital modulation.
Fixed and mobile laser ranging stations have been developed to track satellites equipped with retro-reflector arrays. These have operated consistently at data rates of once per second with range precision better than 50 cm, using Q-switched ruby lasers with pulse durations of 20 to 40 nanoseconds. Improvements are being incorporated to improve the precision to 10 cm, and to permit ranging to more distant satellites. These include improved reflector array designs, processing and analysis of the received reflection pulses, and use of sub-nanosecond pulse duration lasers.
Theoretical and mathematical considerations involved in the design of retroreflectors for the GEOS-C and Timation III laser ranging satellites are described, laser ranging systems used by the Goddard Space Flight Center are reviewed, and planned systems changes are outlined. Equations are derived for the design of a cube corner array on a gravity gradient stabilized satellite in a circular orbit, and the required cube corner for GEOS-C is computed. Use of fixed threshold triggers and electronic and analytic pulse height compensation in present laser ranging systems is discussed. Proposed changes are outlined, including the incorporation of split gate triggers and trackers into the ranging systems and the use of analog and digital centroid measurement techniques. A theoretical consideration of the effects of velocity aberration on the reflected light beam is appended.
The scientific objectives achievable through high-accuracy range measurements to lunar retroreflectors are considered. A specific study of design questions related to the operation of retroreflectors on the lunar surface indicated that a reflector panel containing a number of solid fused silica corner reflectors would be capable of maintaining essentially diffraction limited performance under direct solar illumination. Initial Apollo 11 observations are discussed together with the installation of additional lunar retroreflectors in connection with the Luna 17, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, and Luna 21 missions. Range measurements at the McDonald Observatory are considered along with new results from lunar range data, and prospects regarding future lunar ranging stations.
Measurements of the range to the Beacon Explorer C spacecraft from a single laser tracking system at Goddard Space Flight Center have been used to determine the change in latitude of the station arising from polar motion. A precision of 0.03 arc second was obtained for the latitude during a 5-month period in 1970.
Laser ranges to the Beacon Explorer C spacecraft from a single Goddard Space Flight Center tracking system were used to determine the change in latitude of the station arising from polar motion. A precision of 0.03 arcsecs rms was obtained for the latitude during a five-month period in 1970.
Design procedures for using laser ranging systems in spacecraft to reflect ocean surface pulses vertically and measure spacecraft altitude with high precision are examined. Operating principles and performance experience of a prototype system are given.
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.
Laser ranging retroreflector deployed on lunar surface to study lunar librations for defining precisely lunar orbits and studying earth planetary structure - Apollo 14 flight
Laser ranging to retroreflector array placed on lunar surface during Apollo 11 mission
Apollo lunar laser ranging experiment /LURE/ for range measurements from earth to lunar surface
Apollo 11 laser ranging retro reflector measurements from McDonald Observatory confirming thermal design analysis performance prediction
Reflected ruby, laser pulses from Apollo 11 laser ranging retro-reflector /LRRR/ with telescope, measuring round trip travel time of light
NASA laser systems for satellite tracking, determining ranging accuracy by comparing laser and computed reference orbital data
Laser tracking and communication with satellites
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