Austrian Academy

At present, SLR Graz is ranging to all satellites with a standard 10 Hz Nd:YAG Laser, using SemiTrain pulses with a total energy of about 30 mJ per shot and 35 ps pulses; we intend to replace this 20 years old system with a diode pumped, solid state laser, operating with 1 kHz repetition rate nominally (10 Hz to 2 kHz specified), with single pulse energy of 0.5 mJ per shot at 532 nm, and a pulse length of 10 ps. While the present laser system will remain operational for special experiments like MultiColor Ranging etc., the expected advantages of the new laser system are up to kHz return rates for all low satellites, significantly improved return rates from Lageos, and same return rates from high orbiting satellites as now; this should map into much better defined Normal Points for all satellites up to and including Lageos. First few test passes in December 2002, using a Demo Laser with 80 µJ/Shot, demonstrated return rates of close to 100 % from LEOs like TOPEX etc., and significantly improved accuracy and stability