Geodesy instrument package on the Moon for improving our knowledge of the Moon and the realization of reference frames

摘要: Abstract The use of passive Laser reflectors on the lunar surface has been most attractive in Apollo era among alternative measurement techniques, but laser link margin is very small, permitting only few stations to obtain valid measurements. Therefore next generation LLR (Lunar Ranging) technique should aim for a substantial improvement. We propose one-way ranging concept involving transponders. A particular strength this proposed experiment given when several are Moon simultaneously and/or geodetic used simultaneously, as expected improve modeling geometry and data quality. may well initiate installation new observing Earth – perhaps within infrastructure existing astronomical observatories. At same time it allows many more SLR (Satellite from network measurements Moon. In case beacon mode, optical receivers needed ground. addition, we deploy operate microwave receiver/transmitter with precisely known mechanical local ties beacon/receiver, which will permit observations tangential position respect celestial frame. also include GNSS transmitter into equipment realizing “GPS/Galileo satellite Moon” that tracked together satellites by ground possibly future satellites. ultimate objectives our proposal threefold, improvement reference frames Earth, better understanding Moon's interior, determination parameters General Relativity.