What does this research mean for the field?

The ETRUSCO experiment successfully upgraded the Satellite Laser Ranging Characterization Facility to perform integrated laser ranging tests on retro-reflector arrays installed on GNSS satellites. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.METHODOLOGICAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This project aims to test laser retro-reflector arrays used in satellite navigation systems.

March 5, 2026Open Access

ETRUSCO: Extra Terrestrial Ranging to Unified Satellite COnstellations

Key Points

This project aims to test laser retro-reflector arrays used in satellite navigation systems.
Development and testing of optical instrumentation for laser ranging.
Upgrade of the Satellite Laser Ranging Characterization Facility (SCF).
Conducting thermal and structural tests on retro-reflector prototypes in realistic orbital conditions.
Comparison of experimental data with software models of behavior in space.
Successful testing of retro-reflector models on GPS-2 and GLONASS satellites.
Thermal models confirmed through SCF measurements.
Ongoing data analysis from the SCF-Test.
Planning for tests on larger GALILEO retro-reflectors is in progress.

Abstract

We describe the basic goals of the ETRUSCO experiment and the work done in 2006, together with our international collaborators, which led to the approval of the proposal by the INFN-CSNV in October 2006.Some of the 2007 funds were made available in November 2006 and were used to buy optical instrumentation. In 2007 the LNF Satellite laser ranging Characterization Facility (SCF) has been upgraded to perform integrated laser ranging tests and thermal measurements (SCF-Test) of the planar retro-reflector arrays installed on the satellites of GNSS constellations. This will be done in a realistic environment, which simulates the orbital conditions of the GPS-2 (USA), GLONASS (Russia), and soon GALILEO (EU), at altitudes of about 20000-23000 Km. The year 2007 has been devoted to the SCF-Test of a prototype model of a retro-reflector deployed on the two of GPS-2 satellites, on the GLONASS constellation and on GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B, the prototypes of GALILEO. This SCF-Test has been successful and data analysis is well underway. The experimental work at the SCF will also be compared to software models of the thermal, structural, orbital and optical behavior of the prototypes. Detailed thermal models of the LAGEOS-type retro-reflectors have already been built and checked with SCF measurements. Work is in progress to develop these models also for the GNSS.The year 2008 is dedicated to the SCF-Test of a flight model of a retro-reflector array to be deployed on one of the next GPS-2 satellites.The long-term goal of ETRUSCO is to perform at LNF the SCF-Test the larger and more important GALILEO laser retro-reflector arrays. Planning and provisions to reach this goal are well underway: in fact, INFN-LNF is participating to a call for tender for the 'Support to the Coordination of the European GALILEO Simulation and Testing Infrastructure', issued by the Galileo Supervisory Authority, in the context of FP7-GALILEO. The result of the tender is due by October 2008.

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