Reduction and analysis of one-way laser ranging data from ILRS ground stations to LRO

Abstract

One-way LR (Laser Ranging) is being performed routinely from ILRS (International Laser Ranging Service) ground stations to LOLA (Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter), onboard NASA’s LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter). From the accurate range measurements, spacecraft orbits and parameters of the lunar gravity field can be modeled. Furthermore, the data can be used for monitoring the long-term behavior of the LRO clock and for precisely referencing the MET (Mission Elapsed Time) to TDB (Barycentric Dynamical Time). We present the current status of our effort to process, analyze and use selected LR data for LRO clock characterization, orbit determination and gravity field estimation.