Rapid response quality control service for the laser ranging tracking network

Abstract

Quality control systems for satellite laser ranging (SLR) observations have been developed at a number of analysis institutes worldwide, using various software packages of precise orbit determination and data analysis. Satellite laser range observations, primarily from the two LAGEOS satellites but also from other satellites in low-Earth orbits and up to GNSS altitude, are being processed on a sub-daily to weekly basis. The generated quality control reports are widely used to detect various kinds of problems and quickly provide anomalous information to laser ranging stations. They have been effective in shortening the time to return to normal operations when anomalous data are detected and in quantifying the performance of laser ranging stations. Consequently, a rapid feedback loop has now been incorporated in the modern SLR operation.