LAGEOS

LAGEOS-1
LAGEOS-1 (diameter=60 cm [23.6 inches])
Mission typeGeodesy
COSPAR ID1976-039A
SATCAT no.8820
Websiteilrs.cddis.eosdis.nasa.gov
Mission duration48 years, 6 months and 4 days
(in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGEOS
ManufacturerNASA
Launch mass406.965 kilograms (897.20 lb)
Dimensions0.60 metres (2 ft 0 in) diameter sphere
Start of mission
Launch date4 May 1976, 08:00 (1976-05-04UTC08Z) UTC[1]
RocketDelta 2913 / Star-24
Launch siteVandenberg SLC-2W
ContractorNASA
End of mission
DisposalRe-Entry
Decay datein 8 Million Years
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
Semi-major axis12,271.15 kilometers (7,624.94 mi)
Eccentricity0.0044560
Perigee altitude5,838.33 kilometers (3,627.77 mi)
Apogee altitude5,947.69 kilometers (3,695.72 mi)
Inclination109.83 degrees
Period225.70 minutes
Epoch5 May 2017, 07:05:23 UTC[2]
Instruments
  • 422 glass retroreflectors
  • 4 germanium infrared retroreflectors
  • Time capsule plaque
LAGEOS-2
Deployment of LAGEOS 2 during STS-52
Mission typeGeodesy
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1992-070B
SATCAT no.22195
Websiteilrs.cddis.eosdis.nasa.gov
Mission duration32 years and 16 days
(in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeLAGEOS
ManufacturerAeritalia for the Italian Space Agency (ASI)
Launch mass405.38 kilograms (893.7 lb)
Dimensions0.60 metres (2 ft 0 in) diameter sphere
Start of mission
Launch date22 October 1992, 17:09 (1992-10-22UTC17:09Z) UTC[1]
RocketSpace Shuttle STS-52 / Italian Research Interim Stage (IRIS)
Launch siteKennedy LC-39B
End of mission
DisposalRe-Entry
Decay datein 8 Million years
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
Semi-major axis12,161.84 kilometers (7,557.02 mi)
Eccentricity0.0137298
Perigee altitude5,616.73 kilometers (3,490.07 mi)
Apogee altitude5,950.68 kilometers (3,697.58 mi)
Inclination52.65 degrees
Period222.46 minutess
Epoch5 May 2017, 07:48:20 UTC[2]
Instruments
  • 422 glass retroreflectors
  • 4 germanium infrared retroreflectors
The LAGEOS plaque, designed by Carl Sagan

LAGEOS (/lʒs/), Laser Geodynamics Satellite or Laser Geometric Environmental Observation Survey, are a series of two scientific research satellites designed to provide an orbiting laser ranging benchmark for geodynamical studies of the Earth. Each satellite is a high-density passive laser reflector in a very stable medium Earth orbit (MEO).

  1. ^ a b McDowells, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Celestrak NORAD Two-Line Element Sets". 5 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.