Geodynamics Applications Of Spaceborne Laser Ranging

Steven C. Cohen; John J. Degnan

doi:10.1117/12.951874

25 July 1989 Geodynamics Applications Of Spaceborne Laser Ranging

Steven C. Cohen, John J. Degnan

Proceedings Volume 1062, Laser Applications in Meteorology and Earth and Atmospheric Remote Sensing; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.951874
Event: OE/LASE '89, 1989, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The Geodynamics Laser Ranging System (GLRS) is a spaceborne laser ranging instrument being developed by NASA as a facility instrument for the Earth Observing System (Eos). GLRS is to be used to study regional and local scale crustal movements. As such, it is designed to make highly precise range measurements to retroreflector targets located in geophysically interesting sites. Using a two color ranging scheme, absolute range accuracies of several millimeters are expected. Simulations based on this accuracy and the Eos orbital parameters show that length of the intersite baseline between retroreflectors can be determined to several millimeters accuracy at distances from a few kilometers to several hundred kilometers with several passes of GLRS range data collected over a few day interval. Short arc techniques are used to minimize the effects of gravity field and other force model uncertainties. Relative heights can be determined to subcentimeter accuracy over comparable distances. The accuracy depends, in part, on the retroreflector locations relative to the orbital path, the number of laser shots used, and the viewing angles from the spacecraft. GLRS is also intended as a high precision laser altimeter with an intrinsic vertical accuracy of 10 cm and a horizontal resolution of about 70 meters. The altimetric function can be used to monitor the topography and roughness of ice sheets and land surfaces. With coarser vertical resolution it can also profile cloud-top heights. This paper describes the scientific objectives of the GLRS geodynamics measurements, and presents the results of recent simulations which assess the accuracy of the instrument in determining intersite baseline lengths and relative heights.

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Steven C. Cohen and John J. Degnan "Geodynamics Applications Of Spaceborne Laser Ranging", Proc. SPIE 1062, Laser Applications in Meteorology and Earth and Atmospheric Remote Sensing, (25 July 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.951874

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KEYWORDS

Earthquakes

Satellites

Ranging

Laser applications

Earth's atmosphere

Retroreflectors

Atmospheric laser remote sensing

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