Lunar motion analysis and laser data management

Work completed in lunar motion analysis and laser data management during the period July 1, 1971 - September 30, 1975 was reported. In this context, analysis refers to theoretical or numerical studies involving real or potential applications of such observations to improvement of the physical model, and data management refers to the process by which observed photon events are turned into observations and are made available to potential users. The data analysis work included: (1) bringing to operational status of computer programs for the numerical integration of the lunar orbit motion and for the application of lunar laser time delays for the improvement of the parameters of the physical model, (2) program improvement and program integrity, (3) three-dimensional ephemeris, and (4) miscellaneous independent studies. The data management work included: (1) data identification, (2) observatory interfaces, and (3) data distribution

Proceedings of the JPL seminar on uncertainties in the lunar ephemeris

Conference on lunar theory and ephemeris analyse

Lunar laser ranging data deposited in the National Space Science Data Center: Unfiltered photon detections for September 1969 through June 1970

Documentation is presented which is to be used in conjunction with the deposition in the National Space Science Data Center of the unfiltered data obtained during laser ranging operations between the McDonald Observatory and the reflector at Tranquility Base during the interval September 1969 through June 1970

Lunar laser ranging data deposited in the National Space Science Data Center: Filtered Observations for July through December 1972 and unfiltered photon dections for January through July 1973

The data acquired by the lunar laser ranging experiment are described for the six months period ending 31 December, 1972. The data are contained on two files of a binary tape written in card image format, using a CDC 6400/6600 computer. Photon detections, and unfiltered photon stops are included

Lunar laser ranging data deposited in the National Space Science Data Center: Filtered observations for September 1969 through June 1970 and unfiltered photon detections for July through December 1970

The technique of laser ranging to a reflector fixed on the lunar surface is discussed. The causes for initial low rate of data acquisition are explained. The documentation to be used in conjunction with the deposition of the filtered data in the National Space Science Data Center are documented. Filtered data obtained during laser operations between the McDonald Observatory and the reflector at Tranquility Base during the interval September 1969 through June 1970 are presented. The unfiltered photon detections for the succeeding six months are examined

Astrometric observations of the faint satellites of Jupiter during the 1975 - 1976 opposition

The series of astrometric observations of the satellites of the trans-martian planets re-established at the McDonald Observatory in 1972 is continued. The positions deduced from photographic observations of the jovian system obtained during the 1975-76 opposition are presented together with the discovery positions of four asteroids found on these plates

Laser observations of the moon: Normal points for 1973

McDonald Observatory lunar laser ranging observations for 1973 are presented in the form of compressed normal points and amendments for the 1969-1972 data set are given. Observations of the reflector mounted on the Soviet roving vehicle Lunakhod 2 have also been included

JPL development ephemeris no. 69

Improved lunar and planetary ephemeri

NASA/ESA CV-990 Spacelab Simulation (ASSESS 2)

To test the validity of the ARC approach to Spacelab, several missions simulating aspects of Spacelab operations have been conducted as part of the ASSESS Program. Each mission was designed to evaluate potential Shuttle/Spacelab concepts in increasing detail. For this mission, emphasis was placed on development and exercise of management techniques planned for Spacelab using management participants from NASA and ESA who have responsibilities for Spacelab 1 which will be launched in 1980

Lunar motion analysis

The results of raw data tapes on lunar motion recorded at McDonald Observatory from January 1 through June 30, 1975 are presented. The direct use of laser pulse shape information in the filtering of return photon data is suggested, together with an extensive revision of the environment record. The absence of archive parameters, including clock epoch offset, atmospheric seeing, and shot-by-shot resolution is noted. Programming problems involving photoelectric occultation observations are also examined