Application of satellite laser ranging to precise orbit determination of cislunar spacecraft

Key Points

• The aim is to enhance the orbit determination accuracy of cislunar spacecraft using satellite laser ranging data.
• Conducted laser ranging tests with TD-1 and DRO-A spacecraft in April 2025.
• Compared laser ranging data with existing radio ranging results for accuracy validation.
• Integrated laser and radio ranging data for joint orbit determination analysis.
• Achieved radial accuracy of under 5 m for TD-1 and under 20 m for DRO-A.
• Improved TD-1 3D positioning accuracy from 656 m to 179 m.
• Enhanced DRO-A 3D positioning accuracy from 854 m to 266 m.