Design of retro-reflector array for very high orbit satellites based on automated acquisition of satellite laser ranging echoes

Abstract As deep space missions expand, the demand for high-precision laser ranging continues to grow. Satellite laser ranging (SLR) technology plays a critical role in achieving precise orbit determination for these missions. To address the challenge of capturing very high orbit satellites during SLR, this study introduces new design constraints for retro-reflectors and applies these principles to the design of the Tianqin satellite’s retro-reflector array, using <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>38</mml:mn> <mml:mtext> </mml:mtext> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> mm retro-reflectors as a reference. The results confirm that the Tianqin Station is capable of successfully capturing a reflector array consisting of 17 corner cubes, each with an aperture of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>38</mml:mn> <mml:mtext> </mml:mtext> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> mm. An equivalent capture verification experiment was subsequently conducted using a geosynchronous orbit satellite, where the echo signal intensity was attenuated via a defocused laser ranging system.