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Geodesy and Geophysics Laboratory
Operational

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR)

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a fundamental measurement technique used by the NASA Space Geodesy Program to support both national and international programs in Earth dynamics, ocean and ice surface altimetry, navigation and positioning, and technology development. NASA continues to maintain and operate five trailer-based Mobile Laser Ranging Stations (MOBLAS) and two compact Transportable Laser Ranging Systems (TLRS) at fixed sites.

Launch Date

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Class

Flight Project

Website

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a fundamental measurement technique used by the NASA Space Geodesy Program to support both national and international programs in Earth dynamics, ocean and ice surface altimetry, navigation and positioning, and technology development. NASA continues to maintain and operate five trailer-based Mobile Laser Ranging Stations (MOBLAS) and two compact Transportable Laser Ranging Systems (TLRS) at fixed sites.

Related Publications

2025. "Stabilized mascon solutions through combinations of GRACE and SLR normal equations.", Geophysical Journal International, [10.1093/gji/ggaf016] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "International Laser Ranging Service.", Travaux, 43 825-858 [Full Text] [Report]

2023. "GENESIS: co-location of geodetic techniques in space.", Earth, Planets and Space, 75 (1): 5 [10.1186/s40623-022-01752-w] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Mass balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet from 1992 to 2018.", Nature, 579 233-239 [10.1038/s41586-019-1855-2] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Replacing GRACE/GRACE‐FO C30 with satellite laser ranging: Impacts on Antarctic Ice Sheet mass change.", Geophysical Research Letters, 47 (3): e2019GL085488 [10.1029/2019gl085488] [Journal Article/Letter]