Earthdata Forum

CDDIS Request for a new GCMD Instrument: Retroreflector Array

ShortName: Retroreflector Array
LongName: Retroreflector Array

Hierarchy:
Instruments
Earth Remote Sensing Instruments
Passive Remote Sensing
Positioning/Navigation
Laser Ranging

Description: Laser retroreflector arrays make it possible to do laser ranging – using small bursts of laser light to detect distances between objects. Pulses of laser light from a ground station are directed toward an orbiting satellite, which then reflect off the array and return to the station. The time it takes for the light to travel from the ground to the satellite and back again can be used to calculate the distance between the satellite and the ground.

Reference:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/nasa-laser-reflecting-instruments-to-help-pinpoint-earth-measurements/

John A. Degnan, A Tutorial on Retroreflectors
and Arrays for SLR, ILRS Workshop, Frasca2, Italy, 2012, https://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/2012/degnan_retrotutorialppt_121105.pdf

Thank you for your keyword request. We will review it and let you know when it is complete.

@sritz The new Instrument keyword has been added; please review:

Retroreflector Array > Retroreflector Array: https://cmr.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/bb230efa-824c-489b-a4e3-a35e782724bd?format=json&version=draft

Looks good. Thanks.