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Overview

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) use short-pulse lasers and state-of-the-art optical receivers and timing electronics to measure the two-way time of flight (and hence distance) from ground stations to retroreflector arrays on Earth orbiting satellites and the Moon. Scientific products derived using SLR and LLR data include precise geocentric positions and motions of ground stations, satellite orbits, components of Earth’s gravity field and their temporal variations, Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP), precise lunar ephemerides and information about the internal structure of the Moon. Laser ranging systems are already measuring the one-way distance to remote optical receivers in space and can perform very accurate time transfer between sites far apart. Laser ranging activities are organized under the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) which provides global satellite and lunar laser ranging data and their derived data products to support research in geodesy, geophysics, Lunar science, and fundamental constants. This includes data products that are fundamental to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), which is established and maintained by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS). The ILRS develops the necessary global standards/specifications for laser ranging activities and encourages international adherence to its conventions.

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Highlights

Important dates for 21st International Workshop on Laser RangingRelease Date: 07/27/2018This is a reminder that abstract submission for the 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging closes on Wednesday, August 01 2018. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird registration rate before 5pm AEST, Wednesday, August 01 2018. Please visit www.iwlr2018.serc.org.au for more information and updates. Any questions should be directed to the Conference Logistics at iwlr2018 @ conlog.com.au.

Second LARGE campaign of 2018Release Date: 06/27/2018The second LARGE campaign of 2018 will take place from August 1 through October 31, 2018.

Image credit:
NASA, JPL

The Passing of Jean DickeyRelease Date: 06/25/2018We were recently informed that our colleague, Jean Dickey, passed away suddenly on May 9, 2018. Jean worked at JPL since 1980. She made many significant contributions in LLR studies and Earth rotation research. Jean was an IAG ad AGU fellow and served as president of the AGU Geodesy Section in the mid-1990's, the first woman to do so.

Second Circular for the 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging ReleasedRelease Date: 06/06/2018The Space Environment Research Centre (SERC) and the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) are actively organizing the 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging in Canberra, Australia during the week of November 05-09, 2018. The second circular has been released. Registration is now open and attendees are encouraged to submit an abstract for oral and poster sessions.

First LARGE Campaign of 2018 is Now OverRelease Date: 05/29/2018The first 2018 LARGE Campaign is now over. A summary report for the campaign is available on the LARGE Activities and Meetings page.

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Recent News

Network maintenance may afftect ILRS website - Network maintenance may affect access to the ILRS website beginning July 30, 3:00PM GMT. We expect this activity to last less than 30 minutes. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Important dates for 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging - This is a reminder that abstract submission for the 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging closes on Wednesday, August 01 2018. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird registration rate before 5pm AEST, Wednesday, August 01 2018. Please visit www.iwlr2018.serc.org.au for more information and updates. Any questions should be directed to the Conference Logistics at iwlr2018 @ conlog.com.au.

Deadline for Abstract Submission Extended for 21st IWLR - The 21st International Workshop on Laser Ranging will be held in Canberra Australia, November 05-09, 2018. The deadline for abstract submission has been extended to Wednesday August 01, 2018.We encourage you to submit your abstracts and complete your registration as soon as possible. Please explore the workshop website at http://www.iwlr2018.serc.org.au/ for updated information, including the workshop program, links to registration and abstract submission, and information about the venue and hotel booking.

The Passing of Jean Dickey - We were recently informed that our colleague, Jean Dickey, passed away suddenly on May 9, 2018. Jean worked at JPL since 1980. She made many significant contributions in LLR studies and Earth rotation research. Jean was an IAG ad AGU fellow and served as president of the AGU Geodesy Section in the mid-1990's, the first woman to do so.