SLR Contribution to Investigation of Polar Motion

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) for determining Earth rotation parameters over twenty years, analyzing data sources, analysis centers, and discussing challenges and solutions in SLR observations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of SLR contributions to polar motion investigation, including data analysis, operational procedures, and problem-solving approaches.

Findings

SLR has been instrumental in determining Earth rotation parameters for over two decades.

Multiple analysis centers contribute to a global ERP series with varying delays.

Challenges in SLR observations are identified along with potential solutions.

Abstract

SLR technique has being used for determination of ERP during over twenty years. Most of results contributed to IERS are based on analysis of observations of Lageos 1&2 satellites collected at the global tracking network of about 40 stations. Now 5 analysis centers submit operative (with 2-15 days delay) solutions and about 10 analysis centers yearly contribute final (up to 23 years) ERP series. Some statistics related to SLR observations and analysis is presented and analyzed. Possible problems in SLR observations and analysis and ways of its solution are discussed.