LAGEOS-1
NASA’s LAGEOS-1 mission uses a passive reflector sphere as a long-lived reference for satellite laser ranging. Measurements from globally distributed ground stations determine satellite orbits and tracking-station positions, supporting plate-motion, Earth-rotation, gravity-field and relativistic studies. The spacecraft carries no active measurement or communications system.
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Identity
- Aliases
- LAGEOSLAGEOS ILaser Geodynamics Satellite 1
- Name
- LAGEOS-1
- Status
- active
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- NASA’s LAGEOS-1 mission uses a passive reflector sphere as a long-lived reference for satellite laser ranging. Measurements from globally distributed ground stations determine satellite orbits and tracking-station positions, supporting plate-motion, Earth-rotation, gravity-field and relativistic studies. The spacecraft carries no active measurement or communications system.
- Destination
- Nearly circular retrograde Earth orbit; perigee about 5860 km, inclination 109.84 degrees
- Outcome
- LAGEOS observations support terrestrial reference-frame origin and scale, Earth-orientation parameters, geocenter motion and low-degree gravity-field changes. Their interpretation also requires modeling nongravitational orbital perturbations, including thermal forces.
- Programs
- -
- Start Date
- 1976-05-04
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- October 29, 2026 at 16:05:06 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 16:05:06 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles