Abstract Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a powerful technique able to measure spin rate and spin axis orientation of the fully passive, geodetic satellites. This work presents results of the spin determination of LARES – a new satellite for testing General Relativity. 529 SLR passes measured between February 17 and June 9, 2012, were spectrally analyzed. Our results indicate that the initial spin frequency of LARES is f0 =86.906mHz (RMS=0.539mHz). A new method for spin axis determination, developed for this analysis, gives orientation of the axis at RA=12h22m48s (RMS=49m), Dec=−70.4° (RMS=5.2°) (J2000.0 celestial reference frame), and the clockwise (CW) spin direction. The half-life period of the satellite’s spin is 214.924days and indicates fast slowing down of the spacecraft.
Spin rate and spin axis orientation of LARES spectrally determined from Satellite Laser Ranging data
Advances in Space Research ; 50 , 11 ; 1473-1477
2012-07-15
5 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Spin rate and spin axis orientation of LARES spectrally determined from Satellite Laser Ranging data
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