Spherical Glass Satellite “BLITZ”
Passive low-orbit glass retroreflector satellite for sub-millimeter precision satellite laser ranging and geodynamics research.
Technical specifications
- Purpose
- Passive low-orbital laser microsatellite-target for precision satellite laser ranging and geodynamics research
- Year of release
- 2007
- Construction
- Glass retroreflector sphere consisting of two hemispherical menisci and a glass ball
- Target accuracy
- Sub-millimeter target error
About
The Spherical Glass Satellite “BLITZ” is a passive, low-orbital laser microsatellite-target developed to provide sub-millimeter target error for satellite laser ranging (SLR). It is used for flight tests to obtain precision laser measurements of range, and to support research into geodeformation and geodynamics processes. Structurally the satellite is a glass retroreflector sphere consisting of two hemispherical menisci and a glass ball, giving it a highly stable, predictable optical center of reflection with no active subsystems required, released in 2007.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
