Swarm-A, -B, and -C: Reflector Information
RetroReflector Array (RRA) Characteristics:
Courtesy of GFZ
The SWARM satellite has a regular 45 degrees pyramid shaped retroreflector array, manufactured by GeoForschungs Zentrum at Potsdam, Germany, This array is identical to the array flown on CHAMP, GRACE, TerraSAR-X, and TanDEM-X. This array is a simple passive payload instrument consisting of four prisms to reflect short laser pulses back to the transmitting ground station. This enables the measurement of the direct two-way range between ground station and satellite with an accuracy of 1 to 2 cm.
Phase center of the LRA:
X = -2420 mm
Y = 520 mm
Z = -31 mm
More information about the array can be found in the Swarm Mission Support Request Form.
