Also called:
Laser Geodynamics Satellite
Date of launch (location):
May 4, 1976 (WTR)
Launch vehicle:
Delta 2913
Weight (kg):
411
Shape:
Spherical (covered with 426 laser
retroreflectors, giving it the appearance of a golf
ball)
Dimensions (m):
0.6 diameter
Power source:
Passive
Responsible
NASA center: Marshall Space Flight
Center
Prime contractor:
Bendix Corp., satellite
assembly
Perkin-Elmer Corp, laser
retroflectors
Project manager:
Charles W. Johnson
Project manager, orbital
phase:
Chris C. Stephanides, Goddard Space
Flight Center
Project scientist:
David Smith, Goddard Space Flight
Center
Objectives:
Over a period of many years from a
5900-kilometer orbit, demonstrate the feasibility of using a
ground-to-satellite laser ranging system to monitor motion
of earth's tectonic plates, to monitor geodetic reference
systems, to determine more accurately universal time, and to
collect data on the time-varying behavior of earth's polar
positions.
Special feature:
Laser Retrotlectors (426)
Results:
Successful.
Reference: NASA Hq., "Project Lageos Press Kit," Press Release 76-67, Apr. 15, 1976; Victor Seigel, "Earth's Shifting Surface," ASA 80-3 (NASA's About Space and Aeronautics series), Mar. 1980; and Robert L. Spencer, "Lageos-A Geodynamics Tool in the Making," Journal of Geological Education 25 (Mar. 1977): 38-42.