Global Satellite Laser Ranging Normal Point Observations

NASA CDDIS provides ground-based Satellite Laser Ranging observation data in monthly files. The dataset contains unambiguous range measurements with millimeter precision from a global network of stations to satellites equipped with retroreflectors. Analysis Centers of the International Laser Ranging Service use this data to produce precise station positions and velocities.

Use Cases

• Modeling Earth's gravitational field variations using precise range measurements and station position time series.
• Contributing to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame by analyzing station position and motion histories from the global network.
• Performing precise orbit determination for spaceborne radar altimeter missions using SLR range data.
• Monitoring millimeter-level variations in the Earth's center of mass from the aggregated global station data.
• Conducting tests of General Relativity theories using sub-nanosecond global time transfer capabilities of SLR data.

Strengths

• Provides unambiguous range measurements with millimeter precision.
• Data is aggregated from a global network of laser ranging stations.
• Supports derivation of multiple geophysical parameters like station motion and gravitational field.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column details, and sample size are unknown.
• Data format varies between older ILRS format and newer Consolidated Ranging Data format, requiring handling for consistency.
• Temporal coverage and update recency are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

NASA Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS).

Collection Method

Collected via ground-based Satellite Laser Ranging from a global network of stations.

Time Range

One month of data per file; full temporal coverage is null.

Freshness

Data is retrieved by Analysis Centers on regular schedules; specific update frequency is null.

Geography

Global network of satellite laser ranging stations.