Polarimetric satellite laser ranging

Abstract

We report on concepts and laboratory experiments pioneering polarization-modulated SLR. The idea is to equip satellites with specially designed retroreflectors with different polarizing properties. These retroreflectors can be coded into arrays and act as an identifier for satellites (a number plate) that can be read from ground), while maintaining the precise orbit determining capability of conventional SLR. The intended demonstration of the technology in a space mission not only requires the design of new retroflectors with additional polarization op-tics, but also modifications to our SLR station (the miniSLR) in terms of hardware and software to be able to emit and detect photons with different states of polarization