Download or read book High Energy Laser System for Geodetic Research written by Sumner Ackerman and published by . This book was released on 1965 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The design, operation, and performance of a high-energy laser system developed specifically for geodetic satellite research are described. The ground-based laser illuminator uses a liquid-N2-cooled 16-mm (diameter) by 184-mm (length) ruby crystal. It has a nominal output of 250 joules at 6935 A with 17,000 joules of pump supply and a pulse duration of 2.5 milliseconds. Discussion of the system's performance is based on 15 months of operating experience which has shown that high-energy lasers are practical for geodetic research applications requiring long periods of reliable operation under outdoor field conditions. The feasibility of Project LARGOS (Laser-Activated Reflecting Geodetic Optical Satellite), sponsored by the Terrestrial Sciences Laboratory of AFCRL, was verified experimentally using this equipment when clearly detectable star images of the Explorer 22 Satellite were obtained on 21 January, 29 January, and 3 February 1965 at ranges up to 925 statute miles. Range measurements by photoelectric detection were obtained simultaneously. A study was made of cube-corner reflectors suitable for satellite geodesy showing that, ideally, these should be almost diffraction limited with an aperture of the correct diameter to obtain the desired beamwidth.