Laser Geodynamic Satellite
Quick Summary
The Laser Geodynamic Satellite (Lageos) was a U.S. satellite launched in 1976 to study Earth's shape and gravity field. Geodesy, the science of measuring Earth's size and shape, uses satellites like Lageos to refine our understanding of the geoid, which is Earth's average sea level.12
Lageos, positioned about 6,000 kilometers above Earth, carried reflectors to precisely measure distances using lasers from ground stations. This technique, known as satellite laser ranging, helps determine the relative movement of Earth's tectonic plates and provides data for mapping the geoid with high accuracy. By analyzing the perturbations in satellite orbits caused by Earth's irregular gravity field, scientists can map these irregularities and understand processes like mantle convection.12
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