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- GFZ-1 (GeoForschungsZentrum-1) is a geodetic satellite designed to improve the current knowledge of the Earth's gravity field. The satellite, a passive system with no onboard sensors or electronics, is covered with retroreflectors that reflect laser beams sent from ground stations. By measuring the round trip time of the transmitted light, the distance between the satellite and the station can be determined with approximately 1 centimeter. These measurements are used to determine variations in the rotational characteristics of the Earth and for measurement of the Earth's gravitational field. As the vehicle's orbit decays, the satellite's orbital motion will also be used calculate to atmospheric densities. Deployed from the Mir space station, GFZ-1 was the first non-Russian satellite launched from MIR. GFZ-1 was developed in under 12 months and cost approximately 轜,000 (including design, fabrication, test, and launch). Data collection, distribution and evaluation is coor dinated by the project's scientists at the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam. Spacecraft The satellite consists of a spherical body made from brass with 60 corner cube reflectors distributed regularly over the satellite's surface. These retroreflectors are quartz prisms placed in special holders that are recessed in the satellite's body. External metallic surfaces are covered with white paint for thermal control purposes and to facilitate visual observation in space. The vehicle's size was limited by the maximum allowable dimensions of the Mir airlock (30 cm). The vehicle carries no electronics or sensors and is not attitude controlled.
[Source: NASA Mission and Spacecraft Library]
Group: Platform_Details Entry_ID: GFZ-1 Group: Platform_Identification Platform_Category: Earth Observation Satellites Short_Name: GFZ-1 Long_Name: GeoForschungsZentrum-1 End_Group Group: Synonymous_Platform_Names Short_Name: GFZ-1 End_Group Group: Platform_Associated_Instruments Short_Name: SLR End_Group Group: Orbit Orbit_Altitude: 400 km End_Group Creation_Date: 2007-11-19 Online_Resource: http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/pb1/op/gfz1/index_GFZ1.html Sample_Image: http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/pb1/op/gfz1/GFZ1_1.small.gif Group: Platform_Logistics Launch_Date: 1995-04-09 Launch_Site: 1999-06-23 Design_Life: 3.5-5 years Primary_Sponsor: GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam End_Group End_Group
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