Print After six years maintenance and upgrades, the 1.05-meter laser ranging telescope of National Time Service Center(NTSC) of Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS) is officially put into use for precision measurement and related scientific researches by the end of 2024.
The telescope is located at the Lishan Astronomical Observatory of NTSC.Before upgrades, it was a 1.05-meter-aperture reflective astronomical optical telescope. In alignment with the recent research priorities, NTSC researchers have successfully upgraded it to a multi-functional telescope. Now its capabilities including satellite laser ranging(SLR), optical imaging with Charge-Coupled Device(CCD) for astronomical observations, and laser time transfer.
The observation datas can be used in deep space exploration, the precise orbit determination of BeiDou/GNSS satellites and geodetic satellites, and the determination of Earth Rotation Parameters(EOP), and combined orbit determinination with satellite transponder tracking technology.
Researchers used this telescope for regular satellite laser ranging, and have achieved all-time laser ranging for low, medium, and high-orbit (geosynchronous orbit) satellites. The ranging accuracy has reached centimeter-level precision. Specifically, for laser geodynamic satellite(LAGEOS), the ranging accuracy is less than 1 cm. For navigation satellites, including Beidou, Galileo, and GLONASS systems, the ranging accuracy is approximately 2-3 cm.
"We have formally submitted an application to the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) to join the International Laser Ranging Network, engage in international Laser Ranging Network, and to contribute to determination of the EOP and the maintenance of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame(ITRF)," said Prof. LI Weichao, deputy director of High-precision Time Transfer and Precise Orbit Determination Department, NTSC.
Lishan Astronomical Observatory (Imaged from NTSC)
1.05-meter laser ranging telescope (Imaged from NTSC)
Satellite Laser Ranging (night)(Imaged from NTSC)