[S-GD01] Geodesy and Global Geodetic Observing System

[SGD01-18] Developmental status of Omni-SLR for small-size, low-cost SLR system

*Toshimichi Otsubo¹, Hiroshi Araki², Yusuke Yokota³, Koichiro Doi⁴, Hiroo Kunimori⁵, Mihoko Kobayashi¹, Ryo Tsukagoshi¹, Masato Tomomatsu¹, Takehiro Matsumoto⁶ (1.Hitotsubashi University, 2.National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, 3.University of Tokyo, 4.National Institute of Polar Research, 5.National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 6.Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

Keywords:Satellite Laser Ranging, Global Geodetic Observing System, Space Geodetic Techniques

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) is a geodetic technique to measure the ground-to-satellite distance very precisely. It is regarded one of the core geodetic techniques to measure the geometrical and gravitational shape of the Earth. Currently about 40 stations have been operational over the world. Despite the fact that the number of satellites equipped with retroreflectors is boosting, the number of the ground tracking stations remains almost the same for a couple of decades. It is because today’s SLR systems are typically large and expensive, and therefore the compactness and low-cost are the key factors to strengthen the global SLR network.
We initiate a small project called Omni-SLR in 2020 to develop the first prototype system and demonstrate what can be achieved by a small low-cost SLR system.
We are currently designing the core part of Omni-SLR system. Key development elements include a nanosecond-pulse-width laser system, an optical design without Coude path, a lightweight telescope mount, an event timer, a coordinate monitoring system and operational software.