Development of Laser Measurement to Space Debris at Shanghai SLR Station

Shanghai SLR station, one of International Laser Ranging Network, has been developing the technology of laser measurement to space debris since 2008. According to characteristics of laser echoes from space debris and the experiences of practical measuring activities, the improvements of laser system, laser detector and spectrum filter are performed for laser detection to space debris. The significant achievements have been made with the routine measurement to space debris and the measured distance is from 500km and 2900km with Radar Cross Section (RCS) of >10m2 to <0.5m2. The laser measurement to space debris with the near infrared wavelength laser signal is also developed in order to make the better performance of laser ranging to space debris.