This Laser Ranging Reflector was a qualification unit similar to the one placed on the lunar surface during the Apollo 15 mission. Smaller units were deployed by the Apollo 11 and Apollo 14 astronauts. The reflectors were designed to reflect incident light precisely back to its source regardless of the incident angle. Accurately timed pulses of laser light from various Earth stations were bounced off of the three separate arrays and the reflections were carefully recorded. The data from the three reflectors allowed scientists to improve knowledge of the complexities of the lunar motion and rotation.
This unit was stored by Bendix Aerospace until NASA transferred the object to the Smithsonian in 1982.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
EQUIPMENT-Lunar
Manufacturer
Bendix Aerospace Systems
Dimensions
Overall: 11 13/16 in. × 2 ft. 1 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 3 3/8 in., 79.8lb. (30 × 64.8 × 69.5cm, 36.2kg)
3-D (Aluminum Pallet Storage): 121.9 × 121.9 × 58.4cm, 116.6kg (4 ft. × 4 ft. × 1 ft. 11 in., 257lb.)
Materials
Corner cubes: fused silica; panel: aluminum
Inventory Number
A19820510000
Credit Line
Transferred from the NASA - Johnson Space Center
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.